All the cars, sorry, vehicles in RD3 drive like wet sponges. The Force Feedback is Force but not Feedback. It negates what is happening at the contact patch and frustrates the user with real world experience.
Having said all that there are some vehicles with rapid enough response to provide a good drive and once the AI are cranked up enough to provide some competition the game is a good challenge for racing. I particularly like the GT Lights and the Palmer Caterhams for this but the Forumla Palmer Audi's and the Karts, which I would love to have enjoyed, are very disappointing.
Console gamers and those still below driving age will get much more out of this than real drivers. The latter will appreciate it more if they regard it as a racing game instead of a simulation.
I'm over 50 running a Dell 9100 with a Logitec MOMO Force wheel. I use and enjoy GPL, NASCAR 2003, Midtown Madness 2, Colin McRae Rally version 2 (on Windows Me not on XP), GTR and GT Legends. I have used but no longer enjoy F1 '99-02 Challenge or the Geoff Crammond GP series (no feel) and Monster Truck Madness 2 (love the driving but there's no competition).

First impressions, that playing the game with a wheel is really hard! Although incredibly enjoyable.. I have been frequently saying "OH ****!" as I overjudge a corner and plough straight into a barrier. My heart has been really pumping today, and I feel a bit twitchy after particuarly close races or even on the single rally stages. So im suitably impressed how immersed I feel.. as I come from a FPS, Strat and MMORPG background, and I havent had a buzz like this off any of those types of games in years.

I am a car lover, so its great to have such a huge selection of vehicles to play around with. Theres a huge range to choose from, which you have to unlock, but its not a chore, you really enjoy the challenges, and if you dont enjoy a certain class of race, then you dont have to do it.

I suspect a strong modding scene will spring up around this game, no guarantees mind, so I think longevity will increase as fans build more cars and tracks to play with. Only time will tell.

I am very happy that my investment has brought as much unexpected joy as it has. Bearing in mind that your going to need this game and a wheel if you dont already have one. You can pick up the ultra cheap saitek wheel for around £15, but I highly recommend you splash out on the Logitech Momo Racing wheel, especially if your a motor head.

So 4 stars, as you will have to like racing or cars, to get any kind of enjoyment beyond a week. Goes without saying really, but it is essentially a sim (although you can set it up as an arcade racer.. but wheres the skill in that?) and as such requires a certain amount of dedication.