Forza 5 questions...

There is no longer an auction house, correct.  You can still download paints and tunes though.  I don't have my Xbox on to tell you step by step, but community made paints and tunes exist.  Yes, the game was rushed.  As was the entire console, as well as the PS4.  Had to get them out for the holiday rush, business right?  Microtransactions are there but not necessary, you'll have loads of cars and money before you know it.

Play FM5 for a few weeks and then go back to FM4.  The physics in FM5 are so much better and the tracks in FM4 now seem like driving down a hallway.  It's a much better game even with the missing stuff.  We were all outraged at first and now most of us are over it and consider it a better game, even with its shortcomings.

Warning this is from memory so forgive me if I'm off a bit. 

1. Market Place is going to be the in game place to buy DLC content.  Its suppose to be added "soon"

2. When buying a car it automatically takes you to the suggested paints, you can hit X I think to see the factory paints schemes.  

3. If you have a car and want to find paints for it then go to my car, paint, and you can search for paints, make your own and etc.

4. Tunes for cars can be searched from the tune page.  You hit what use to be select I believe on the controller (2 squares) and you can search for tunes. 

There are still problems with searching for paints and tunes though as after you scroll for a bit it suddenly stops giving you descriptions.  On a positive note they did just add a track for free along with a couple of cars.  

Overall I just tell myself that MS rushed T10 to release for the X1 launch.  I think if they build off of Forza 5 and add back some of the content from Forza 4 they will have winner for Forza 6.  When I first bought Forza 5 I focused too much on the negatives and hated the game.  I finally stopped doing that and started just enjoying the game and it is pretty damn nice.  

I think T10 may have looked to cash in on the micro transaction initially, but quickly responded to the negative criticism from the Forza faithful and adjusted the FM5 economy shortly after release.  The 'buy with tokens feature' is still in the game for those with disposable income that don't want to 'grind it out', but there really is no need for me to use tokens with the adjusted economy and Forza rewards.  I'm only just past level 100 (the weather is too nice to not play golf right now), but I'm sitting on 50+ cars and 9M credits, so I don't ever see the need to pay for cars or upgrades with real money.  I'll save that for the DLCs.

Make sure you check out Forza Rewards.  I have gotten over $8 million in credits from Forza Rewards, which has been more than enough.  The rewards hit every month.  Just check the site after the end of each month and then hit the redeem button.  The credits will show up in your Forza 5 message box within a few hours.  Here is the link:

https://rewards.forzamotorsport.net/en-us/

The single biggest issue with Forza 5, IMO after playing it a lot since Black Friday 2013, is the cost to entry, particularly if you get the TX wheel and pedal set.  

Otherwise, I am fine with the game.  Yes, the car selection lacks numbers, but it is quite diverse.  Open wheelers.  Check.  V8 Supercar.  Check.  Rally.  Check.  Muscle cars, modern and classic.  Check.  Supercars.  Check.  With the exception of stock cars, which sucked anyway in prior Forza games, Forza 5 has it all and they are all good.  No duplicates like the GT series.

Track selection is also diverse.  Yes, it does not have as many as we would like, but there are no duds and some of the new tracks were at the top of our wish list - Spa and Bathurst anyone????

As far as graphics, only iRacing does it better for me, and that is primarily because I can do triples in iRacing.  In all seriousness, does any other racing game look nearly this good?  Project CARS and Assetto Corsa do not count, even on my triple screen set up.  Talk to me if and when they are ever out of beta and lets see how they are doing in the graphics department.

As far as tunes and paints, its never been easy for a dummy like me to find custom stuff.  A few button presses gets me where I want to go.  No prior Forza game was this easy.

The FFB and physics are the best ever for a Forza game, and they make GT look like a mere game.  Only iRacing, rFactor 2 and Assetto Corsa can compete in these two areas.  Yes, I am buying the marketing hype from M$, Turn 10 and Thrustmaster about the new technology Forza 5, Xbox One and the Thrustmaster TX use.

Multiplayer is good fun, particularly with the recent updates they have made to make it easier to deal with parties.  The chat is rock solid, much more clear and reliable than the chat on the Xbox 360 or PS3.  No lag or drops.  Period.  Assuming of course you have a good quality, hard wired connection, which fortunately I do.

The micro transactions are completely unnecessary, unlike Real Racing 3, but I digress.  I did buy tokens so I could increase my Forza Rewards score.  They cost me $10.  I have no plans to buy any other tokens.

In summary, Forza 5 is now my second favorite sim racing title, only trailing iRacing.  If you can afford the high cost of entry, play it with pride.

One thing though it, sure ain't done us any good 

I haven't seen any race since GT6 and FM5 come out with more than 11 people in it. Not one.

And the numbers are getting less and less each week.

Just had 2 good races in the Clios though. 9 Drivers (10 including max who couldnt get in) and some good racing!