These comments are based on a demo version, so at least rent the game before making up your mind.
I remember playing Destruction Derby 2 while under the influence and remember it being a really funny game. Part of the addicition was trying to create the biggest pileup possible without ruining your own car.
The move to the Playstation 2 has exposed some flaws. The most obvious being that the graphics never really were that great, and they certainly aren't world-stopping here either. The other being that the cars never handled like real cars, this was arcade handling in every sense of the word.
This is fine if you want an arcade experience, and this game wont fail your expectations if that is what you are after. But there is one new gameplay feature that in my opinion ruins the experience. What I am speaking of is powerups, one of which will enable you to repair your car. Being able to repair your car comepletely changes the feel of the game, and in fact removes any sense of danger that you would have felt in something like Destruction Derby 2.