I went back and tried NFS Porsche Unleashed, and as far as I can remember, that was the best version of NFS EA ever released... realism wise. But I stopped playing it ever since I found LFS and GPL. But playing NFS:PU again... it wasn't 'that' great handling wise, I mean a boxster could take turns insanely fast, it did still feel kinda arcadey. But it did have oversteer and it was possible to lose control if you pushed it. But it was always still too easy and grippy. I am sure the new NFS will feel the same way... but EA is always developing their games to cater to a much larger market of younger gamers, thus they make their games easier and user-friendly so nobody gets frustrated and gives the game a bad word.
It's been a long while since NFS has ever felt "good"... but recently EA have already made several attempts at making a "SIMULATION" out of their games, and they've failed miserably.