It was second gen PS1's that had all the problems. They replaced the metal disc holder with a plastic one that warped. Sony then turned around and said if your PS1 goes wrong in the first xx months we will take it back and give a reconned one. Needless to say the reconned ones had the metal part back.
I have nothing more to say on the matter (for the time being)
I prefer the PS3 for driving games, the 360 is better for shooting games.
I can't stand driving games so can't really comment....however give me a mouse and keyboard any time for shooting games
I've been playing Warhawk and Resistance: Fall of Man on the PS3 lately and they are so hard it's unreal - I'm getting my rear-end kicked every time I go online.
I think I'll stick to my Nintendo consoles in future