I can cope with subpar graphics so long as the underlying game is entertaining and fun to play. I still play games that are 10+ years old because I enjoy the core gameplay.
With that in mind, I could excuse the lackluster graphics, poor sound, lack of ambient life on the island (no people on the streets, hardly any traffic), unrealistic police (NO option for traffic violations in a game that revolves entirely around racing high performance cars on PUBLIC ROADS), the list goes on, if only the handling system was engaging and fun to play with. Instead, it's almost as if the handling code was hastily slapped on as an afterthought once they finished adding all the extra features which are not core to the experience of driving cars.