On the subject of the player packs: Grey Games: 2/5. It wasn't difficult, and required more jumping than shifting. Azurieq: 5/5. You lived up to the title of "sadistic". Assorted: 3/5. Seemed more trial and error to me than shifting strategy.
The worst part about the ridicolous prices is you never get some upgrade that allows you to make enough money to get them. You just grind, even with top wheels and top rockets.