I really don't understand Turbo Outrun haters.
Turbo Outrun does have some drawbacks, a continue feature being one of them. This is easy to overcome, so far I am limiting myself to .50 a play. After a couple of months of ownership, I still haven't finished it.
It is less based on skill, more about the adrenaline rush of speed. I find it is a lot friendlier to beginners; for example, you can touch the obstacles on the side of the road and not instantly crash.
I had easy access to both in the mall I frequented and Turbo Outrun always found my quarters.
To each their own, I'm very happy to have both games in one cab with the movement of a couple of connectors.
I guess it is like the Centipede/Millipede argument, and I like Centipede a lot better than the sequel.
I think Hang-On was a very big deal when it was released in '85, Outrun is just a logical extension of the formula.