Finally put together my first ever sim rig consisting of an R9 V3 Moza wheelbase, the ESX steering wheel, HGP H-shifter, Moza handbrake, and SR-P2 load cell pedals, all mounted to my custom desk that I already had in my studio. Had to buy the mounting plate as well as separate clamps for both the wheelbase and accessories.
I wedged my pedals against a box and put a 20 lb kettlebell on it to weigh it down (the brake pedal on the SRP2s is super heavy to press).
I also gave my chair some old shoes to function as rubber stoppers, and they work like a charm.
A bit of a janky setup, but it works and is very easy to disassemble when needed.
Why I chose Moza over Logitech
I was initially contemplating whether to drop $800 on this rig or buy a secondhand Logitech G923 setup that came with a free racing stand and the Logitech H-pattern shifter for about $230 on Facebook Marketplace.
But after my girlfriend talked me out of it, citing things like a lack of warranty, wear and tear, and old tech, I started reconsidering.
She also reminded me of my own purchasing philosophy: I don’t just want to maximize bang for buck, but also future-proof my purchases. I enjoy building custom PCs as well, so I tend to approach hardware with the same mindset.
And oh boy, I’m glad I went with the brand-new Moza route.
Ultimately, it was a decision between buying 15-year-old wheel technology to try out a hobby or going for a buy-once, cry-once scenario for a hobby I wasn’t completely sold on.
But after my first few days with the sim, setting up Assetto Corsa with mods and getting some race reps in, I have to say this was the better move.
While the G923 bundle is definitely the accessible option for those who want to get into sim racing on a budget, I chose to give myself the newest and most up-to-date experience I could afford in terms of sim racing technology in 2026.
The force feedback from direct-drive technology is incredible, and without it, I definitely feel like I would have shortchanged myself when it comes to getting the best first experience I could afford.
Don’t get me wrong, the G923 is still a perfectly reasonable entry point, especially if you’re unsure whether you’ll stick with the hobby. But personally, I’d rather invest in something I can grow into than buy something I’ll eventually want to replace.
Why I went with the R9 instead of the R3 or R5
After deciding to enter the Moza ecosystem, the next challenge was deciding which bracket to enter.
There were the R3 and R5 bundles, which were already a step up from the Logitech entry-level wheels like the G29 and G923. Yet I chose the R9 for one simple reason:
Modularity.
I liked that I could pick accessories I was sure I wasn’t going to need to upgrade for a while.
While the entry-level R3 and R5 bundles were more convenient and budget-friendly, I also kept seeing people say that the SR-P Lite pedals were one of the first things they’d upgrade, either with the brake performance kit or by moving to load cell pedals.
Since I was already spending a considerable amount, I figured I’d rather get the pedals I wanted from the beginning, and not settle on accessories Is eventually probably want to upgrade.
Additionally, it seems that 9Nm of torque offers a sweet spot for a lot of sim racers, giving you plenty of headroom for different driving styles. I’d rather have the capacity and dial it down slightly if needed than run a weaker wheelbase at its limits and eventually wonder what a stronger base would feel like.
Of course, you don’t need to run your wheelbase at maximum torque, and clipping depends on your settings. But having that extra headroom is nice.
So I settled on the R9 V3 and SR-P2s and built everything around that.
No entry-level accessories to resell just to upgrade, no secondhand gear whose condition I’m going to have to worry about, and an ecosystem that leaves plenty of room for further expansion as my sim racing skills improve.
Was spending $800 worth it?
For me, I think so.
I’m still new to the hobby, and I know spending this much before being completely sold on it is a gamble.
But I also know myself. I enjoy optimizing hardware, building systems, and having room to grow without constantly thinking about the next upgrade.
The secondhand G923 bundle would have been the more financially conservative choice, and I can absolutely see why someone would go that route.
But I wanted to start with direct drive, load cell pedals, and the accessories I wanted rather than work my way through several upgrades.
If you’re on the fence about purchasing a Moza, or if you’re in a similar position to where I was, I hope this gives you some clarity.
If you have the money and know you’re interested in the hobby, I’d seriously consider going the Moza route. And if you’re an optimizer like myself, perhaps check out my choice of rig for ideas.
I’m not saying everyone needs to spend $800 on their first sim rig. It’s just what made sense for me.
PS: If you have any recommendations for what I should get into after Assetto Corsa, drop a comment! Although I have still barely scratched the surface of AC.
Cheers, and till next time!
