I think both games look terrific.  But there is something in GT that makes me like it more than Forza.

Although the graphics aren't that huge a leap over any other games of the same kind (even though it does achieve a lot of things on a technical point of view that other racers don't, even if they're not necessarily notceable right away to the naked eye) , the way it mimics reality with accurate colors, intricate lighting, the sheer beauty and accuracy of its cars, the way the game feels very sober, very "gentleman focused" (for lack of a better "expression".  There is definitely a unique feel to that series that I really enjoy) are all things that make me go back to the series.

Forza 3 have really good graphics as well, but the game feels more arcadey, and the graphics don't look as realistic to me.  Mostly because the team behind the game relied a bit too much on vivid colors and they overdid the texture work a bit.  The landscape sometimes reminds me more of Daytona USA than a game supposed to be a sim (just look at those rocky palissades in some of the race tracks to see what I mean). And the lighting certainly isn't as intricate as the one found in GT.  Performance wise, it runs flawlessly, butter smooth as they say, and the game does look awesome in the end. 

Maybe I'm just more used to the GT feel, which makes me seek it insimilar games.

I'm only talking about the look and feel of the games here.  As far as gameplay goes, I haven't spent enough time with Forza 3 to form a definitive opinion of it. 

Wow thats kinda weird O_O as far as im aware (asin what i have been taught over the years) the eye captures 35 images a second-ish (though it does obviously vary person to person). games like ffxiii ran at 3fps and if you thought that was a bad looking game u where blind ^^ also i am a PC gamer XD i just Havant bothers to upload all my games,. I have a wii as well but got bored of searching for each game adding, repeat etc. I may or may not have as good a gaming PC as u but it certainly does everything iv ever wanted it 2 ^^

Indeed

Sorry for posting twice.

By the way, about the frame rate nonsense. 

Another advantage of high frame rate is also your input devices being updated correctly. I'm not sure how they are handling it but anyway if you really want smooth input you need to get a frame rate as close to 60 as you can.

But I dont really know if thats a big difference outside of fighting games.

You gotta give the edge to Forza3, Its just amazing how they deliver such Quality in a shorter amount of time!!!

I must be out of the loop on resolution. Since when is 1080P means 1280x1080?

My 2 cents:

Been playing GT5 for some hours on a 37" Samsung. The framerate drops do happen abit, but they're minor really. They're noticeable if you're paying attention, but I dont think they're bad enough to distract a focused driver.

In this case, it all depends on standards really. Some will complain, some won't. Personally, I think it's nothing major. Framerate drops like the ones you see in Black Ops are far more worse/annoying.

As for screen tearing, it's there and you can see it but for whatever reason, it doesn't bother me too much. Again, it really depends on standards/tastes. Now if you were dumb enough to believe the game would look as good as it did in the massive barrage of bullshots, then yes, you'll be disappointed. If you used common sense, you'd know a bullshot the second you see it and wouldn't have such high expectations of the game's actual visuals.

There's tons of placebo-effect involved and your mind will probably be playing tricks on you without you even knowing it.

I remember plenty of people on this sight claiming GT5 would be the best looking game ever made on consoles.

Take off the Sony goggles

This is always the same when games come out, I still remember being skeptical to the "Oblivion" promo shots that were supposedly in-game and not touched up. Got myself a crazy rig and cranked everything up to max, lo and behold; it looked nothing like the promo shots.

It is indeed true that GT5 does not look like most of the promo shots, it still looks pretty damn good and certainly better than any other racing game I ever played on consoles.