I'm most out to lunch on the "car checking". Maybe it's my unhealthy cling to reality talking, but when you tag the back of a car, you crash. Metalzoid, or anyone else, since you played this at E3, did the traffic checking ruin the fun of racing?
I think I'm most excited about the vertical takedowns. The ability to LAND on someone would be just plain fun. Anyone can check an opponent into a wall, that's easy; but it takes a pro to drop down on top of said fool.
I'm kinda dubious of the racing mode crashbreaker too. It seems kinda cool, but I get the feeling it's going to be... abused. Again, anyone that played it at E3, did it help or hurt the play mechanics?