What’s the best PC driving simulator out right now?
I don’t necessarily care about racing against other people. Also, gangsters, hookers and thugs are right out.
What would be really cool is if there was something akin to a flight simulator, but for cars. You just basically get in and go wherever you want to and enjoy the scenery.
Does this exist?
When I was getting my learner’s permit (6 years ago), Sierra had released a program called Driver’s Education, which not only gave you written-test lessons, also let you get in the “seat” of a car and drive around. When coupled with a racing wheel and foot pedals, it made quite a nice tool to learn with.
Not sure about any modern counterparts. If I ever find my old copy, I’ll let you know though.
My PC’s too old and outdated to run new stuff, but the most current version of Need for Speed I have is NFS III, which was great for just riding around. You do have to start out in a race, but you can just ignore the other cars and roam around at your own speed. There’s no time limit, which lets you sit back and enjoy the ride. (Just don’t pick the alternate scenario, “you against the cops!” If I recall correctly, there was no way to keep the cops from chasing you, no matter how sedately you drove.)
When I got bored of the same old tracks, I used to turn the car around and drive in the “wrong” direction. There were some annoying warning lights and maybe the telltale “dinging” sound, but it made a nice change of scenery to see things from a different angle. Yes, I’m a loser, why do you ask? Actually I live in NYC and don’t have a car, so this was as close as I could get. 
In NFS III the “tracks” were country roads, city streets, even a cool desert highway, and the scenery was detailed and quite meserizing. And if you added the rain option? Danged if you’re not able to forget you’re not actually riding along the pleasant, somewhat melancholy rainsoaked streets! By now, the newer software and hardware available probably make the drive even more realistic.