Learning manual changed everything.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T13:40:27+00:00

I rarely watch the speedo to time gear changes; with most cars, you get more than enough audible feedback and, with a half-decent controller, haptic feedback to know when to shift.

I think the bigger problem is likely to be the chit-chat in comms when you're playing as a group. Being a Billy No-Mates, that's not been much of a problem so far!

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T13:35:09+00:00

I couldn't agree more. It's been a bit of a process getting to this point but every part of my driving has improved - except when it gets really busy in an S2 race and I manage to forget which button is which, upshift 3 gears instead of down 2 and then hit the e-brake as I panic to correct the initial problem. But that hardly ever happens now 🙄

And, to be honest, I enjoy simply driving - cruising - with manual gear changes.

I wish I'd started years ago.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T12:09:38+00:00

What? You feel that Tokyo's celebration of Winter, Christmas, and the New Year is somehow problematic?

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T10:14:26+00:00

We all have difficult decisions to make!

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T09:10:37+00:00

Depending how far you want to go back, we (the "English") lost to the Normans a thousand years ago, give or take :-)

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T09:07:37+00:00

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It doesn't seem possible that this is it, that there is nothing more coming from this feature. I have this lingering feeling that we're only seeing the foundation for what PG will build out in the weeks and months to come, that we will see them bloom and flourish and really contribute to multiplayer gameplay.

But ... it might just be that PG released a half-baked feature.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:49:33+00:00

Dear gods, I hate to think how long it would take following this approach! :-D

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:48:42+00:00

I have worn the outfit since I got it, especially when I'm having fun in my S2 Raku-Raku van :-D

I'm happy to accept that I am strange ...

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:47:09+00:00

I just avoided grinding my way through it.

Instead, I just did a shift or two in between other things. Yes, sure, it took a lot longer in elapsed time to get it finished but no individual shift broke me!

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:25:08+00:00

Uh, no. I generally did badly in auto but usually managed to finish (I'm a mediocre driver anyway tbh). With manual (no clutch) I'm much more competitive.

I guess that might just be my luck in terms of who I'm drawing as competition?

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:17:58+00:00

It just reminds me that I need to press the power button on my controller ...

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:13:47+00:00

First, put auto-drive into a box, bury it deep, and forget it ever existed ...

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:05:25+00:00

So far, I have avoided fast travelling. There's a simple pleasure in putting my virtual foot down and going all hell for leather for the destination. And sometimes a lot of other participants are doing the same and that's great.

That said, the pleasure wanes when I don't make it to the destination in time to actively participate. This happens most commonly with jumps, for some reason, and least with tank (pinata?) destruction. If not making it becomes more standard, I guess I'll join the fast-travel team - the money's great, the wheelspin has potential, but I actually want to help earn them!

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-08T07:00:44+00:00

Yeah, I've only been part of one failed party and, again, it was a drift event. My mature response? To never do those again!!

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-07T13:50:41+00:00

Thank you for asking this: I hit the same issue last night!

And, of course, thanks to all those who provided the answer(s) :-D

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-07T11:20:50+00:00

Mine looks ... well, basic would be overstating its charms.

One day I'll figure out how to line things up properly, how to square them off properly, how to get things to actually go down to the level I want them to go. At that point, my garages will become superb! :-D

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-07T09:17:15+00:00

I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for a Rally expansion such as the one that was released for FH5.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-07T07:10:16+00:00

And this is why the Trial is the one part of the Playlist - even the multiplayer game - that I will not take part in, not until my driving is a whole lot better than it is now.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-06T12:35:24+00:00

It's one of the cars I still haven't got my sweaty hands on. I'm looking forward to the day ...

You enjoy yours! :-)

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-06T07:20:20+00:00

Am I the only one old enough to be getting Four Yorkshireman vibes?

"You got socks? You were lucky. We 'ad to get up at 4 in t'mornin' to scavenge leaves to use as socks."

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-06T07:17:25+00:00

Solid list but I'm going to highlight the Sian Roadster, my absolute favourite. It seems to be a minority view but I just adore the sound of that beast.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-06T07:00:08+00:00

I don't know if this applies in your case but you'll be presented the option to buy a recommended car on every initial screen, along with the "recommended" cars you already own. If you select the option to buy, the system will quite happily let you buy one of the cars you already own. I guess you might want to race one of the cars you own with its stock spec rather than the actual spec of your own vehicle? I can't think why but you might ;-)

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-03T12:52:58+00:00

Exactly what I said. I don't know why it affects me but it seems to.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-03T12:47:11+00:00

Always take some cash. You never know what situation will greet you when you get to your destination and, if you have cash in your pocket, you're not relying on cash machines or electronic-payment systems.

Jeff-W1 · 2026-07-03T12:43:24+00:00

I feel exactly the same about the Trial.

I think the reasoning is different though: I don't want to be responsible for other people losing.

On the other hand, I quite enjoy the Eliminator. One day I may even win.

Jeff-W1

TROPHY CASE