Yes. It. Is.
At first, I thought the same, Heat 3 was insane in my sub 200 rated 180SX and thought the game was broken but it isn't, you just need to take it easy at first.
For starters, once you get a car 250+ on performance, Heat Level 3 is fine and even 4 and 5 is escapable.
I've run a Heat 5 chase in a 282 performance Nissan GTR, yes it was a challenge but I escaped and it was hella fun! Same thrills and heartpounding moments I got from Most Wanted <3
Perhaps they could lower the money taken when busted but in previous games they could impound your vehicle and all manner of things, so I don't think it's that big of an issue.
Besides, later on you can easily get $40k from a single race at levels 20+.
You just have to make sure, you do all the upgrades you need and spend your money before you go out at night in case you get caught.
But all in all I love the risk mechanics, makes you really think about avoiding the police when you don't wanna risk it and makes night racing so amazing.
Great commentary back a few pages ago.
Your right as we leveled up the payout in the race did improve very much so.
I like cop chases but you gotta admit the first few levels were a bummer when the cops nailed us in lower-end cars.
Obviously, once we got up to level 4 some say 5 things started to improve for cop chases.
Take care and have a great day.
