It is immeasurably better. The game handles the neGcon differently than DS1/2 and the JogCon. Handling is better and speed isn't lost as much during turning, drifting and not drifting. The WR before neGcon was a low 28, and with the neGcon, you can see what the runs are now. They aren't impossible to buy nowadays. With a shipping proxy, Amazon JP, ebay has them, and yahoo auctions.

It's amazing for this game. I did all the time attack runs with a NeGcon but did them on the PAL version not knowing that version is slower. I might redo them on NTSC someday. All the PS1 Ridge Racer and Wipeout games play way better with one.