So after trying out various racing games, I can say that some older ones (like Test Drive Unlimited 2, which I enjoy for its open-world premise) just isn't compatible with my terrible in-game driving skills.

I played Mario Kart and its clones, Need for Speed and even The Crew for their arcade-like driving physics, but I'm also into simcade racers like GRID and Forza, but despite me enjoying 90% of each game, the tiny remainder of it nearly made me ballistic. (especially if they're part of the completion too)

I had it much, much worse with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed's World Tour mode years ago, where you also need proper driving skills to unlock more characters. (and I'm so glad I don't have to do it again, thank you Steam cloud save)

I understand people enjoy much harder games because they want to test their limits, and so do I
but at the same time, my endurance can only go so far before I decided to quit the game only because of one small error leading to me needing to start from scratch.

While I enjoy freedom in (racing) games, I also want to do something to keep going forward for a small satisfaction, which is why I enjoy Forza Horizon 1 and 4 and The Crew 2 and Motorfest, so I'm glad that I can adapt my gameplay style at any point I want in these games while still getting rewarded (if only just a little), and gets much bigger rewards for finishing first or getting the fastest time.