I think you are missing the basic point in that what others do with their game doesn't affect you. If you trade cars with someone it doesn't matter how they got their cars, the end result is you traded cars and got the car you wanted. If you don't consider that fair because they didn't have to "work" for the car then that is just a mental hurdle you impose on yourself. Life is unfair. This is a game. If how people play their copy of a video game, where it doesn't affect how you play at all or give them an unfair advantage competitively, you should consider yourself blessed for that being a major issue in your life.
As far as the original post, GT has never really been a racing game. It's one long series of time trial challenges, some of which are dressed as races. Ultimately you are always racing the clock, not cars. The series has always been about pitting together your dream garage and driving them.
