rec.autos.simulators

I am looking to get Nascar 2002 or N2003. Currently I have N4 . Is 2003
much better ? I am running Amd 1700+,  32Mb video, 756 DDR2100 Ram.
Should I get both ? TIA

Get one only.  Get NR2003.  NR2003 is supported by the Sierra multiplayer
race servers.  I don't
think NR2002 is supported anymore.

You might need to upgrade the Video card to get much eye candy though.

NR2002 is still supported by Sierra Servers and will be for a while yet.

But he still wouldn't want 2002 when 2003 is available.

Marc

I agree, was just pointing out that the servers are still there.

If you have a fast connection, download the two demos and compare.  I found
a better framerate with N2003, despite its extra graphical touches, and it
was a nicer driving feel.  I would tend towards 2003.

I'm only running a 1GHz notebook with a 32Mb GeForce2Go, and was pleasantly
surprised by the framerate and level of detail I can achieve.  It's a
quality product...

Hands down....NR2003 period.

Here are some good points to ponder for your decision:
1....Got the cash, & computer & wheel as the rest?  & want the one that is
the "best one out", get 2003 obviously...

2....Just experimenting to see if you like NASCAR racing and stuff?  02 is
cheaper and fewer people now gather online but everything except for the
"papyrus" provided race servers still exist many others host races an all
that.  One bonus right now is that most of the kids, wreckers, and
loudmouths have moved up to 03 with the rest of us...  I run both, my league
doesn't end this season for a few weeks, so for that league I run 2002.

3.... Better is definitely Subjective...  like some people like mustard or
even caviar and such, as the 03 version game to me is superior in every
detail.  Personally I quit racing & almost quit caring when NR3 was out as
it was the best but was really lacking.  Meanwhile 2 of my buddies are
really good at NR3 and cannot handle that fact that their "driving-skills"
from N3 make them suck at nr 4 thru 03, mainly because they learned how to
exploit some short comings of the NR3 version game, most of such exploits to
me are "unnatural"...  (Ala diving into mid turn 1 before hitting the brakes
which just slows you down a bit with no penalties as such, and other dumb
things like... spinningout for a whole lap before qualifying to heat tires
up...  if you drive like that in n4 or 02 or 03 your gonna get beat every
day...)

you can get it Sams clubs for like 37 bucks now IIRC.  Nr02 can be found for
under 10 I believe.

No matter what you do, you will have to relearn the limits of the car, I
have had to do this since the initial NR (1).  What was fast and
controllable in n4 was out of control in 02 & some things you couldn't do in
n4 (due to lack of lateral grip and apparent no weight of the car in the
sim) you could do in the new games, and some things are impossible in 03
<G>.  If you wanted the car to actually act more like a car that weighs 4200
lbs (not sure about number) then 03 definitely...  again it aint absolutely
flawless but is a damn sight better than ever before...

Online, well everything is about the same (ROFL) because you will try your
damnedest to race clean and with good "mindful of others" (right?) yet still
get punted by the *** who jumps the starts and dives into turn1 of lap
one,  all the while he is using his keyboard to race on his daddy's
computer... <G>

Get in here if your good, we need good racers...

On Fri, 21 Feb 2003 10:41:19 -0600, "Plowboy"

The speeds of the cars are impossible in 03, as well.

I'm mid-way split right now between going back to N2002 and dealing
with the horrid damage model while hoping a patch comes out for N2003
addressing the drag and exagerrated weather issues or just sticking
N2003 at 110F/clear so that what's happening on the track at least
sort of resembles reality and enjoying the new damage and graphical
effects.  Wish I could have the
tracks/tires/suspension/damage/graphics/AI of N2003 with the
drag/horsepower of N2002..

Jason

When comparing equal graphics settings (as close as you can get anyway) most
people find NR2003 a little better than NR2002. The problem is most people
don't set the settings the same. :)

MadDAWG

Just get NR2003.

Larry

Thanks for the replys, where is there a n2003 demo? The site only has the
2002? But it is listed as 2003 ? Any ideas

Like I said, it is far from flawless.  maybe I didn't emphasize that enough,
but to me it is still really good so I don't really feel it is worth not
racing...  Remember: as far as I have ever competed in anything, Im happy as
long as everyone is subjected to same thing.  No cheats is all I really car
about (ram patch comes to mind) and Im happy.  I wont be racing Jeffy Gordon
on here, but I will be racing others who have supposedly the same
opportunities/limitations that I do.  what else can you ask for
realistically?  I know some things just bug me too, but not in this version
(yet) I guess.

Note, most people are turning AI down to 97-98 % which seems to be more
realistic, or so many claim...  that makes me feel better anyway...  course
I really don't race the AI.

no matter what the "limits" or intent for realism of the game, there is
always an exploit in code/software that people will discover and like last
night, I was on a server where guys were getting just over 148 (or was that
158) mph laps...  Im 4 mph off that, at best if everything goes good for 3
laps in a row, course Im only using the fast setup so far.

found 2003 demo,nevermind