A gamepad is best overall I admit, but as many of you must know, I'm on FPS fodder 70% of the time (with GTA occupying 20% of the rest
), so the only controller I'm willing to dish out money for atm is 4000DPI laser mouse with 5 extra buttons for easier gameplay.
I play racing games too, but I'm so used to the keyboard for those (since I rarely played racing games on my PSX) that I find it optimal.
P.S. As neat as it looks, gaming experience with a steering wheel, at least on the PS2 as GOT to be the worst. I tried NFS MW, Hot Wheels 4 and Midnight Club 3 on it, the handling was crap! Either too much over-steer or under-steer! Maybe that's the way its meant to be i.e. more realistic and tougher but i sure didn't like it.