It's been ~3 weeks since I got the game and I have 99 events to go, if I counted right.  That means 120 or so done.  I thought I was closer than that, but I know I'm past halfway anyhow.  I gave up on trying to make the races fair and just started using R1 cars in the open events and blasting past the F class crapmobiles to get the races over with.  Also, I hate racing against M. Rossi in the Veyron.  It's so hard to beat him on a fast track, even if he does go off the road a lot.

It's been ~3 weeks since I got the game and I have 99 events to go, if I counted right.  That means 120 or so done.  I thought I was closer than that, but I know I'm past halfway anyhow.  I gave up on trying to make the races fair and just started using R1 cars in the open events and blasting past the F class crapmobiles to get the races over with.  Also, I hate racing against M. Rossi in the Veyron.  It's so hard to beat him on a fast track, even if he does go off the road a lot.

I did it. I got the S-Rank. Biggest mistake of my life. it took so freaking long. 

yeah, I think today is when I realized I wasn't having fun anymore.  I'll just keep doing it though, like some kind of robot.

Well, I was just trying to get it done as fast as possible.  I got super frustrated during the long-ass boring-ass Yaris Cup and had to entertain myself by building up as big a lead as possible so I could drift the whole final lap and still win.
 
I take breaks to tune cars and buy storefront paintjobs when I get really bored.

The "hired driver" will almost always win when used, even if it's a stock race. I just set up the computer to start racing and come back when it's done. Kinda lame I know, but it helps with those really boring races.

I know I'm never going to S-rank the game because of the drift achievement, but I'm definitely gunning for the all gold and a car from every manufacturer achievements.  I only need about another thirty race sets for the former and about 1.5 million credits for the latter.... at least, until more DLC cars become available.

As crazy as it might sound, for the drift achievement using rewind on Fujimi Kaido and either the Ford Focus or SEAT Leon Supercup you get as driver level rewards should suffice. Either car can work just fine stock, I think, as long as you practice using the handbrake to break the car loose. The uphill will be a little bit painful and require a bit of throwing the car around, but on the downhill just use the handbrake instead of the brake for every turn (and keep it in 2nd or 3rd gear for the SEAT). A little practice and you should be fine.

" @Sparky_Buzzsaw: dont download any dlc until after you get the achievement for a car from every manufactuer  "

By the time you finish the all gold deal youll have enough money to buy every car in the game not just one from every manufacturer. 
and you will be at level 50 no problem.