I've played through ME1 and ME2 several times, each time as a diff char (obviously) and the story changes with ea playthrough. I found the Mako to be a pain in the arse as well, while traveling and especially when it comes to Thrash Maws. I exit the Mako and take them out on foot. I have yet to kill ANYTHING, even Tuttets and Goliaths with it. You get like a gazillion more XPs from taking things out on foot anyway.
The storyline is pretty incredible. I find it amazingly similar to the ancient writings of the Sumerians. Which is probably where they got the inspiration for the story.
