The cost of a basic sim racing setup can vary greatly depending on your requirements and how realistic you want the driving experience to be. For beginners, a setup in the range of €300 to €600 is often sufficient. In this price range, you can get a steering wheel and pedal set from entry-level manufacturers like Logitech (e.g., G29/G923) or Thrustmaster, as well as a simple wheelbase. These devices already offer a solid driving feel and are perfectly sufficient for gaining initial experience in sim racing. Those who want even more realistic driving can also purchase a racing seat or a so-called rig – simple versions start at around €150. However, a desk can also be sufficient for beginners.
Those with higher demands, such as force feedback, precision, or immersion, will have to dig deeper into their pockets. Mid-range setups with higher-quality steering wheels (such as direct-drive systems from Fanatec, Simagic, or Moza), load cell pedals, and sturdy cockpits start at around €1,000 to €2,000. For professional or semi-professional systems including a triple-screen setup, VR headset, racing seat, and motion platforms, the cost can easily reach €5,000 or more.
Additionally, you should factor in the cost of a powerful PC or a modern console – depending on your system and requirements, this can add several hundred to a thousand euros. Overall, sim racing is a very scalable hobby: You can start with a relatively small budget and develop over time – entirely according to your needs and capabilities.