Shaun, I hope you read this, although I suspect it will be lost in the vast posting mess of this forum.
Spend a few more days getting used to some of it. I don't know if you're clutching manually with a pedal, but if you are then tweak a few things to make heel and toeing easier (most pedals can be tweaked in some ways, spacing out brake pedals, adjusting pedal gaps etc).
If you are using manual clutch, then not a great deal has really changed, other than the need to blip and lift the throttle yourself. The new car is a blast (like the FOX, but even easier to drive), the new SO is actually pretty good.
Yes, the clutch is a weak point, but once you get a bit used to it you won't have too many problems - whole races can be managed.
If you're using a shifter, then things are now a bit harder, as keeping accuracy to change/engage gears is an extra thing to think about. The weak springs in the G25 shifter (for example) mean I often get into the wrong plane, and select 5th instead of 3rd. But I'll improve, and so will you. And I think I'm having a blast having to relearn aspects of sim driving.
Of course, we all play for different reasons, but I don't think it's vastly different to what it was before, but allows a bit more realism if your controllers (and/or budget) allow it, which makes you slower anyway (or if not, then more prone to mistakes).
Also, try not to judge too much until the patch is finalised, as Scawen may yet tweak values of things (clutch heat capacity for example), and turn what you think as a weak point into a background process you don't really notice (like tyre dirt)...
Don't give up quite so easily. LFS is still very much a pick up and play sim, yet it now caters a little more for the hardcore bunch should we want to. Leagues, where surely realism is even more appreciated, will be able to take on a whole new dimension too
Edit: After reading your last post, I think that it was unlikely to ever reignite your passion for LFS, without either a huge overhaul (which wouldn't be LFS), or something very personalised to you in some way (your car in it or something). It's a shame you feel like this, but I'm pleased to have known you, met you, and raced with you. I hope you manage to remain a part of LFS in the future, even if it's small. And if you ever want to go karting with some of us, then you know where we are!