If your tuning seems difficult, use these tips:

Anti-rollbar: Set it to the furthest left and never change it.

Gearbox: Mostly, on almost any stage it can stay in the middle. For the Japan stages, adjust it one step to the left. This results in better acceleration in the tight corners.

Recommended 2WD cars: Volkswagen Polo. It is rather good compared to the others.

Recommended 4WD cars: Citroen Xsara or when possible the Peugot 206. This depends on driving style, but the Mitusbishi Lancer or Subaru Impreza is slightly longer (meaning it is easier to hit objects at the side of the course).

Recommended RWD cars: In order, try the Ford Sierra, Lancia Stratos, Alfetta GTV and Lancia 037. The last one has a lot of horsepower, but is difficult to control or get the power into the ground.

Suspension: The rule of thumb is a soft surface requires a soft suspension and a hard surface requires a hard suspension. "Soft" is anything that is not tarmac or ice. Try using the second softest setting. The most soft suspension can decrease the control somewhat. "Hard" is tarmac or ice.

Tires: If there is a mix of tarmac and gravel, add the two stages ahead. Mostly gravel or tarmac has a higher total. Go for that choice. If they are roughly equal, choose gravel if you are more comfortable on that surface or vice versa. When the total of gravel is 33%, use the second hardest (total of tarmac 33% second softest).