I think GT1 is probably the best game in the series for the fun factor. It may be silly considering what has come after it, but I guess I see it like this, the game was so fun that I wasn't missing stuff like Ferrari and Lamborghini or real tracks. In fact, I think those tracks are more fun than just about any real track I have driven in a game (with Bathurst being the closet).
Whereas by GT2 little complaints happened (where the hell is Special Stage Route 11?, what the hell is with all the bugs?). Then GT3, Special Stage 11 is back! Oh great they took out that mad chicane from the middle of the track...where is Racing Modifications?
Anyway to stay with the thread, I am still playing this now and then and will probably start over again, I have had all Golds on B and IA licenses but for some reason never got A.