yeh, online is interesting.. you can use any car in your garage, but you may not be able to enter in to any race.. but it will come very clear when you start playing. you wont be able to play DK or myself yet , which is a real shame, but i guess they want everyone ploaying everyone at the start, give it a few months and i reckon we will see some sort of DLC that will deal with this.
I will check that Manufacturer event.. off the top of my head cant remember if i saw it, just brought the tune Evo X..

the Mines Skyline is next on my list!! but its like 200 grand or more!
also yeh, 'S' class is unlocked after A, im on 'A' now... on C and B there were some race's with that Honda car where you had to over take everyone in a lap.. how hard??? spent hours doing some, yet a lot of the actual races if your in a good car are quite easy.
Some races are so hard, im glad youre having problems, lol.. I thought it was me! and I know youre a much better GT driver than I!
Sunny... i cant believe he's not getting MGS4! lol.. you must liberate the PS3 come June 12th!