Mod tools need to be released once S/E/V decide they have had enough, they know this.
Concerning the amount of players - Imo, the reason there isnt that many players, is because there isnt any real life tracks/cars (that they have heared of..).
People like to race on the tracks they can visit, the tracks they watch the races on at home on their tv - People want real tracks. And they are not in LFS, so they find them elsewhere, Rfactor, GPL, GTR ect ect.
Adding Real life cars and tracks would definatly increase the amount of players playing LFS, without a doubt.
So dont download the rushed ones, and wait for the good ones instead - Patience.
To say 95% of mods would be crap, is just wrong.
There are a lot of talented people who would love to be able to model stuff for LFS, and would put the same amount of time/effort that eric does into them.