Sim racing can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. The problem is that people only look at the price of a steering wheel and forget the rest. Here is the full picture — one-off, ongoing and the costs you do not see coming.
One-off costs
This is what you buy once: the hardware and, if you choose a sim without a subscription, the game itself. The biggest chunk is the steering wheel with pedals.
Hardware — rough guide prices
| Component | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Entry-level wheel + pedals (gear/belt) | ±€300–400 |
| Direct-drive entry bundle (e.g. Fanatec CSL DD, Moza R5/R9) | ±€350–680 |
| Separate load-cell pedals (e.g. Heusinkveld Sprint) | ±€536–710 |
| Stand / wheel clamp | ±€40–250 |
| Aluminium rig | ±€379–600 |
| Racing seat (separate, optional) | ±€150–400 |
Prices checked in July 2026 — hardware prices change; always check the current shop price. Amounts from £/$ are converted and indicative.
You buy the game once or you pay a subscription. Assetto Corsa Competizione costs around €40 and is often heavily discounted (down to around €10). Le Mans Ultimate is in the same price range. iRacing works with a subscription — so that falls under recurring costs below. A full comparison is in iRacing vs ACC vs Le Mans Ultimate.
Recurring costs
This is the part people underestimate. With a one-off purchase like ACC they are almost zero. With iRacing they keep going.
iRacing — subscription (billed in USD)
| Term | Now | From 18 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $13 (±€11.40) | $14.75 (±€13) |
| 3 months | $33 (±€29) | $37.50 (±€33) |
| 12 months | $110 (±€96.50) | $124.50 (±€109.50) |
| 24 months | $199 (±€175) | $222.50 (±€195.50) |
iRacing raises prices on 18 August 2026. New members often get an intro discount on the first term. A one- or two-year subscription is much cheaper per month than paying monthly. Prices checked in July 2026.
iRacing — individual content
Your account comes with free base content (in season 3 of 2026 about 27 cars and 29 tracks, plus everything you need for Rookie races). Want more? Then you buy cars and tracks separately:
- Car: $11.95 (±€10.50) — some older cars $2.95 (±€2.60)
- Track: up to $14.95 (±€13) — older tracks $4.95 (±€4.35)
Multiple items in one order get a discount. Prices checked in July 2026. Individual content does NOT get more expensive with the increase of 18 August 2026.
So with iRacing do not only count on the subscription. If you actively want to race new series, you gradually buy cars and tracks. That does not have to be all at once, but it adds up over a year.
Three budget scenarios
To make it concrete: three realistic starting points. I count the sim separately, because that is a choice.
1. Entry level — about €400–500
An entry-level wheel with pedals, a simple clamp or cheap stand, and your existing PC and monitor. Sim: start with ACC (one-off ±€40, often less in the sale). With this you can race properly and discover whether the hobby sticks. Nothing wrong with that — plenty of people race on this for years.
2. Serious mid-range — about €1,000–1,200
A direct-drive entry bundle, better pedals, and an aluminium rig so nothing wobbles. Sim: add an iRacing subscription if you want organised racing. This is the “sweet spot” for most people — it feels serious, without going into the top segment.
3. High-end — about €2,000 and more
A stronger direct-drive base, load-cell pedals (e.g. Heusinkveld Sprint), a solid rig and possibly a larger or extra screen. Above this it becomes mainly refinement: you gain tenths, not seconds. The full build per budget is in building a sim racing rig for €500, €1000 or €2000.
Hidden costs
The things that are not on the price tag but do end up on your bill:
- Individual content in iRacing. See above — easily a few tens per season if you are active.
- Electricity. A gaming PC plus screen(s) draws power. If you drive a lot, you will notice it on your energy bill.
- Accessories. Cables, a table or plate, a mat, maybe a shifter or handbrake if you want rally or drift. Small amounts that add up.
- A second monitor or VR headset. Not needed, but many people want it later. A VR headset or extra screen is easily a few hundred euros.
- Upgrade itch. The biggest hidden cost. Once you get better, you want better gear. Plan for that deliberately, so it does not catch you by surprise.
Saving without regret
Where can you sensibly save, and where should you not?
- Start with ACC instead of an iRacing subscription right away. That way you test the hobby without monthly costs.
- Buy second-hand. Wheels and rigs last a long time; the second-hand market is large.
- Skip triples and VR at the start. One good screen is fine.
- Buy pedals that grow with you. Good pedals you feel every corner; saving here is often a false economy. See also our community tips and the rig guide for the right order.
What you do NOT need to start
To set expectations straight — you can safely skip this until you know you will continue:
- Triple monitors or an ultrawide
- A VR headset
- Load-cell pedals or a hydraulic brake
- An expensive high-torque direct-drive base
- A shifter or handbrake (for GT and open-wheel you drive with paddles)
In short: the entry is cheaper than you think, the ongoing costs higher than you think. Start deliberately small, and let your hobby decide your spending — not the other way around.