I'm not sure if that would work... I mean, Mario Kart races can get pretty intense and complicated with skilled players (or difficult AI) try to add the difficulty of handling a kart like a real car on top of that and the result might get a bit too complicated for the average player.

It would be nice to see the concept in action though...

how about "Nintencars" for the 3DS? a simulation game with RPG elements in which you buy accessories and decorations and extra parts for your car and take it out for walks... I mean drives... and enter it in competitions... and maintain it and upgrade it all while building a personal relationship with your pet car?

It could also feature a car washing minigame using the touch screen :D

(I'm only half- joking as this might actually work...)

My thoughts exactly.

@OP:

A racer without power-ups, magic mushrooms, transgender dinosaurs and pedoplumbers? Naaaaa, it would lack the N family feeling!   

Some stellar arguments in here.

"Sims are boring anyway."

"Who cares about sims."

"Sims looked horrible 15 years ago and thus they are useless."

What's wrong with you guys?!

PS: I remember the "physics" in GT 1 and 2, especially in the second game where you could fit a racing kit on your car, the handling was insane. You could slingshot your car around a 90 degree turn doing 100 miles per hour!

They already have one that has sold more as a series than the entire Gran Turismo series.

It is called Mario Kart AKA Undisputed King of Racing Games Then, Now, and Forever.

They are just envious? :P

No, Nintendo likes the "Racing is about making friends"  approach. 

If by "making friends" you mean "memorizing twelve digit numbers" than I agree :P

Hehe.  I was talking about commercial for Blur ( I think it was Blur) that was making fun of Mario Kart.