What we really need is less of the silly ideas, those that detatch the game experience from what GT was (and still is) about -- RACING
However,
I do like the idea of parts, such as functional aerodynamic bits, lightweight bits etc to be added to the car after purchase. These parts should vary in quality, and have different names to distinguish them. These names should not be real life companies, cos that would cause problems with the performance characteristics being different. These companies are also sponsors...
Wheels: reduce weight depending on size and material (made up ones will be needed here i reckon, for similar reasons to the sponsors being made up) Again rubber can be chosen depending on companies budget etc etc
This should not be
tFatF The Game tho, cos that's just dumb.
Tracks: New road courses (ie routes marked out on real roads ala Manx TT [i know many of you will be thinking road course = racing circuit with more than four corners in the same direction, but thats wrong]) These should be narrow, traffic is not necessary, (that also detatches the experience) so that the 'slower' cars might actually be fun to drive. examples: Italian Alps (Italian job intro) Snowdonia/Pennines/Scottish Highlands (bl

dy scary narrow roads) Japanese mountain pass (Initial D, anyone?)
Cars: More classics (Oh, KY wants this too, YAY!), greater variety of cars in terms of where they're from (eg some Aussie, Scandinavian [volvo, saab] etc)
Sponsorhips: damn good idea btw, here's wot i think: you have to drive a car of their choice around a course (ala license test, only with a car tuned by them) and if they're impressed (ie you beat a time, perhaps throwing in an inertia drift [racing technique, not showy style] for extra recognition etc) they'll sponsor you, not with money, but with parts and depending on which company it is determines the quality/characteristics of parts you get (eg some parts give loads of torque whilst others concentrate on power etc)
racing: now the big part. GT is successful because of the cars (duh) and the customisation/tuning of them and also for its 'feel'. The game is pretty realistic, however not enough for me... those of you who've played Grand Prix Legends will know what I mean by realism. In GT the FR cars accelerate straight when the wheels spin and the steering is centered; don't happen in real life, the car skews and snakes like a git under power plus torque steer from the engine makes it worse (drag racers know what I mean). The weather effects are gettin me excited, however the AI needs a serious kick up the R*se. Collision physics, already been discussed, so I'll move on; nuff said methinks.
Fuel consumption, yes. Configurable pit stops, yes. Paintshop.... ummm... yes and no... Your car follows the colours of your sponsors and if unsponsored you can change its basic colour and paint your wheels (I want those Volk Racing (Rays) wheels in Gunmetal) but not crappy metal flake flip paint jobs unless they're standard kit (they add weight you know

)
Races: should be in two distinct categories, I think someone metioned this earlier, but I'll clarify.
1. GT league: sponsorship counts here, rules and regulations depending on the championship you enter (eg a GT league may restrict maximum power to 500bhp and minimum weight to 900kg whilst a touring car championship may restrict power to 300bhp and minimum weight to 1000kg as well as drive type capacity aspiration etc) Here you win cash mainly and the odd car from sponsors (these are slightly tuned by the sponsor - your sponsor that is) One make racing here eg Lupo cup (I'm sorry, it's crap, but maybe it'll be fun this time?)
2. Special event: these are less strict in terms of regulations and your car will be unsponsored, sponsored cars are not allowed. 1 on 1 road course races (remember road course = cordoned section of public roads) perhaps Initial D style on a Japanese mountain, who knows. Prizes will be seriously souped up cars, though they will be hard to win, since the races will be harder cos its 1 on 1 or perhaps only 2 or 3. Could race to win losers car (pink slips in America I believe, no such thing in this country)
Maybe I'm losing sight of what GT is, maybe I'm writing what GT was meant to be in the first place.. :troublemaker:
What do you reckon?