It's not a joke though, is it? It's down to personal tastes is all.
Forza 7 was/is chocked with micro transactions, there's no avoiding that fact - but they're optional; in the same way it's optional to buy the extra cars and whatnot for GT Sport - assuming they aren't FOC these days (not checked back with that game for ages).
I always found the handling in GT games (6 and Sport at least) to feel far too floaty and disconnected from what you are seeing on screen - massively worse in 6, I recall trying to have fun with a Ferrari F430 - and for a RWD car, it just under steered everywhere! But then again - I play on a joypad, so it might feel bang-on with a wheel. On the flip-side, I have always found the Forza games I have played (2 to 7) have felt more 'real' in terms of handling, cars behave how you would expect them - none of the vagueness that GT 6 or Sport have; and without trying to tune the **** feeling out, it is fun right off the bat. Forza Horizon doesn't count - that's an arcade racer.
Again, it's all down to personal taste - those with wheels probably have a far better experience than those with joypads, and maybe GT 6 and Sport are miles better on a wheel - but for me personally, Forza is hands down a better handling game.
Sound-wise, I don't rate Sport any better than Forza 5, 6 or 7 - but I'm no audiophile, so happy to bow down to you there, but both sound as good on my surround sound. But I expect that nether franchise, sounds as raw as Project Cars 1 or 2!
I'd have to agree on disappointment for Forza 7 though, after 6 was so epic, I had hoped that 7 would have just built on that greatness - but the micro transactions and all that silly **** really put my back up - the same with Forza Horizon 3 & 4.