I'm not sure I've noticed it ever happening, maybe it does and I just don't realize?

The one and only time where it was REALLY bad was playing Mass Effect 2 demo, but it was just a demo so it'll likely all be fixed.

never saw it! this is new to me?

Recent good example of tearing for me are Bayonetta and Enslaved, did you try those? GT5 and Heavy rain tearing is very slight, voir non existent most of the time.

It has nothing to do with the price of the console. I expect the developer to work within the limits of the hardware that they are building a game for. The responsibility is completely on the software-side.

For a console where you have the same CPU, RAM and GPU for every single unit out there, you should make it run perfectly on that hardware. If you can't make it run perfectly, you should go down a notch, or wait for the next generation.

Resident Evil 5 on 360 has massive screen tearing. But I fixed it by replacing the HDMI cable with the component cables. Then it worked fine.

Might help for your PS3 tearing problem as well.

Really? Are you sure it isnt because you downgraded from 720P to 480P? Defective HDMI cable? I never heard HDMI would create more frame tearing then component. Are you sure theres isnt another explication?

That's not a fix. That's a workaround. And since it wil mean I will have to turn down the resolution, and in general lose quality in other areas as well, no thanks.

Since you will not be happy in anyway, you should return the PS3 at the store. Screen tearing in GT5 and heavy rain is very very slight compare to some other games. On a side note, you should chrono the loading time to get to GT5 menu, it doesnt take 20 seconds.

I have never noticed it on either my PS3 or 360...

^^I play all three consoles at 720p (well, not the Wii) using component cables.  Maybe that's why screen tearing isn't an issue for me.