Honestly, with your budget and plans, you will have to make compromises.
Right now your PC (i5 4th gen, 16 GB RAM, GT 730) is very weak for modern sims, but it can still run lighter titles like Assetto Corsa or older F1 games at low settings if you keep resolution and graphics down. For 200 to 250 dollars total, it is extremely hard to get a new “good” gaming PC. The realistic move is to keep your current PC and, if possible, look for a used graphics card later (something like a GTX 970, 1060 or RX 580) when you can save a bit more. That kind of upgrade will matter much more than buying a super cheap new mini PC that is not actually gaming capable. For a proper “Moza ecosystem plus modern sims at decent settings” experience, you will eventually want to spend more than 250 dollars on the PC alone.
On the cockpit side, a DIY wooden rig is actually a great idea for your situation. If you build it with solid 2x4 style lumber, screws and bracing, it can absolutely support stronger wheelbases and load cell pedals in the future. Think of it like a simple rectangle frame with a seat mount and a very solid pedal deck that does not flex. If you plan a bit ahead with measurements and mounting holes, it will handle a future Moza base just fine, and it will be far cheaper than most metal cockpits.
Your 32 inch TV will work. You do not need a monitor right now. Use the TV in game mode, plug in via HDMI, and you are good. A proper gaming monitor will give you lower latency and higher refresh rate, but that is a luxury upgrade for later, not something you must buy on this budget.
What you are looking for is a wheel stand, since these are usually affordable and offer a stable, fixed platform for pedals and sometimes for the wheel or shifter. This solves the issue you are already running into with pedals sliding around or the chair moving when you brake harder, which becomes even more noticeable with load cell pedals.
A wheel stand or a simple pedal base paired with a fixed seat lets you build a half cockpit that gives you solid pedals and a stable seating position, while still keeping the wheel on your desk so the computer remains fully usable for everyday tasks. With a budget of around €400 to €500, stands like the Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 or other similar options provide enough rigidity for strong brake forces and leave some room for a seat or accessories.
On the pedal side, the Simsonn Plus X and Pro X are already strong choices for the price, and alternatives like the Asetek La Prima or basic load cell kits from other brands do not clearly outperform them at the same cost. As long as everything is bolted down properly and you have a seat that does not roll, the setup works well, feels stable, and gives you the upgraded braking performance you are looking for without sacrificing normal desk usability.
The big price gap in Türkiye comes down to import taxes, distributor margins, and scale. In the US, both brands operate in a huge, low-tax market, so the G29 and Moza R3 end up close in price. In Türkiye, Logitech has long-established distribution, massive sales volume, and lower per-unit import costs, which keeps the G29 cheaper. Moza imports far fewer units, pays higher effective taxes and logistics fees, and relies on smaller distributors who add bigger margins to stay profitable. Combined with currency volatility, the R3 ends up almost double the price even though both products cost about the same in America.
If you're just going to very casually race, and want something beyond a controller, I highly recommend going on Facebook Marketplace and picking yourself up a used G29 or T128, T248... or any other entry level FFB wheel base compatible with PlayStation. Make sure you place close attention to the PlayStation compatibility as most wheels do not offer this.
This will allow you to get into sim racing for very little money (around $100), play casually, see if you like it, and if you do get the bug and want to upgrade down the line, you can just as easily sell the wheel on marketplace again, get yourself something a little nicer, and you won't really be down any money. As per buying a G29 or a comparable bundle NEW, I wouldn't recommend it as they're still overpriced for what they offer in my opinion.
Anyways, if you want to learn more about purchasing from Marketplace, I've made a guide on how to get into sim racing for $100, you can read it here: https://ocsimracing.com/guides/sim-racing-for-cheap/
If you can stretch the budget a bit, I would personally recommend saving for the MOZA R3.
The G923 bundle, if your main priority is just getting something to drive with right now, it will do the job. You will have fun with it and it is a solid entry level starter kit for Xbox.
That said, the R3 is a huge improvement in terms of overall experience. You are getting a modern direct drive base instead of a gear driven wheel, which means:
Smoother, more detailed force feedback
No rattling and mechanical noise (Which is a big thing in the Logitech gear driven bases)
Better long term upgrade path within the MOZA ecosystem
A setup that will not feel outdated as quickly
Since you are already willing to spend around $500 AUD and you have had your eye on the R3 for a year, that tells me two things. First, you care enough about the experience to notice the difference. Second, if you buy the G923 now, there is a good chance you will end up wanting to upgrade later, which means spending more in the long run.
The GTRacer is pretty solid from my experience, especially for the price. The good thing about it is that it comes with a very nice seat included, along with the chassis. Most cockpits, especially at around the $500 price tag will only bring the chassis, with no seat. So if you want a very simple solution, you can't really go wrong with that route.
Personally, I use the R9 a lot and am happy with it. I imagine the vast majority of people would also be happy with a 9nm base, especially one as refined as the V3 version is. If it's a more comfortable purchase at it's current price, I would go that route.
You can also find deals on Moza here: https://ocsimracing.com/daily-sim-racing-deals/
And my affiliate links here: https://ocsimracing.com/discount-codes/
The interesting part is that the force feedback was working well at the beginning. If you didn’t touch any in-game or wheelbase settings and it suddenly started acting up, that points to a possible issue with the base itself. Do you remember changing anything in the FFB settings? If you did, you could try resetting everything back to default. But if the wheelbase just started behaving strangely out of nowhere, especially if it’s a recent purchase, it might be worth looking into an exchange if that’s an option.
The interesting thing about ThermalTake is that, at least from what I've seen, it doesn't seem like they're doing much promotion of their new sim lineup of gear. So I haven't seen any "mainstream review channels" put out any content on their products. I definitely am interested, but I haven't been in contact with them yet. Appreciate the suggestion.
I don't know anything about that exact mod. However, modding the brake pedal of the G29 is very common and for good reason. At least with the one that I've tried, it does make the braking experience a lot smoother and softer, so if you're dissatisfied with the stock brake pedal, you probably won't be disappointed.
Honestly, with your budget and plans, you will have to make compromises.
Right now your PC (i5 4th gen, 16 GB RAM, GT 730) is very weak for modern sims, but it can still run lighter titles like Assetto Corsa or older F1 games at low settings if you keep resolution and graphics down. For 200 to 250 dollars total, it is extremely hard to get a new “good” gaming PC. The realistic move is to keep your current PC and, if possible, look for a used graphics card later (something like a GTX 970, 1060 or RX 580) when you can save a bit more. That kind of upgrade will matter much more than buying a super cheap new mini PC that is not actually gaming capable. For a proper “Moza ecosystem plus modern sims at decent settings” experience, you will eventually want to spend more than 250 dollars on the PC alone.
On the cockpit side, a DIY wooden rig is actually a great idea for your situation. If you build it with solid 2x4 style lumber, screws and bracing, it can absolutely support stronger wheelbases and load cell pedals in the future. Think of it like a simple rectangle frame with a seat mount and a very solid pedal deck that does not flex. If you plan a bit ahead with measurements and mounting holes, it will handle a future Moza base just fine, and it will be far cheaper than most metal cockpits.
Your 32 inch TV will work. You do not need a monitor right now. Use the TV in game mode, plug in via HDMI, and you are good. A proper gaming monitor will give you lower latency and higher refresh rate, but that is a luxury upgrade for later, not something you must buy on this budget.
Hey, good question.
If you're just going to very casually race, and want something beyond a controller, I highly recommend going on Facebook Marketplace and picking yourself up a used G29 or T128, T248... or any other entry level FFB wheel base compatible with PlayStation. Make sure you place close attention to the PlayStation compatibility as most wheels do not offer this.
This will allow you to get into sim racing for very little money (around $100), play casually, see if you like it, and if you do get the bug and want to upgrade down the line, you can just as easily sell the wheel on marketplace again, get yourself something a little nicer, and you won't really be down any money. As per buying a G29 or a comparable bundle NEW, I wouldn't recommend it as they're still overpriced for what they offer in my opinion.
Anyways, if you want to learn more about purchasing from Marketplace, I've made a guide on how to get into sim racing for $100, you can read it here: https://ocsimracing.com/guides/sim-racing-for-cheap/
Have a good one!
Good question!
If you can stretch the budget a bit, I would personally recommend saving for the MOZA R3.
The G923 bundle, if your main priority is just getting something to drive with right now, it will do the job. You will have fun with it and it is a solid entry level starter kit for Xbox.
That said, the R3 is a huge improvement in terms of overall experience. You are getting a modern direct drive base instead of a gear driven wheel, which means:
Smoother, more detailed force feedback
No rattling and mechanical noise (Which is a big thing in the Logitech gear driven bases)
Better long term upgrade path within the MOZA ecosystem
A setup that will not feel outdated as quickly
Since you are already willing to spend around $500 AUD and you have had your eye on the R3 for a year, that tells me two things. First, you care enough about the experience to notice the difference. Second, if you buy the G923 now, there is a good chance you will end up wanting to upgrade later, which means spending more in the long run.
So yeah, those are my 2 cents.
The GTRacer is pretty solid from my experience, especially for the price. The good thing about it is that it comes with a very nice seat included, along with the chassis. Most cockpits, especially at around the $500 price tag will only bring the chassis, with no seat. So if you want a very simple solution, you can't really go wrong with that route.
Personally, I use the R9 a lot and am happy with it. I imagine the vast majority of people would also be happy with a 9nm base, especially one as refined as the V3 version is. If it's a more comfortable purchase at it's current price, I would go that route.
You can also find deals on Moza here: https://ocsimracing.com/daily-sim-racing-deals/
And my affiliate links here: https://ocsimracing.com/discount-codes/
Thanks!
The interesting part is that the force feedback was working well at the beginning. If you didn’t touch any in-game or wheelbase settings and it suddenly started acting up, that points to a possible issue with the base itself. Do you remember changing anything in the FFB settings? If you did, you could try resetting everything back to default. But if the wheelbase just started behaving strangely out of nowhere, especially if it’s a recent purchase, it might be worth looking into an exchange if that’s an option.
The interesting thing about ThermalTake is that, at least from what I've seen, it doesn't seem like they're doing much promotion of their new sim lineup of gear. So I haven't seen any "mainstream review channels" put out any content on their products. I definitely am interested, but I haven't been in contact with them yet. Appreciate the suggestion.
I don't know anything about that exact mod. However, modding the brake pedal of the G29 is very common and for good reason. At least with the one that I've tried, it does make the braking experience a lot smoother and softer, so if you're dissatisfied with the stock brake pedal, you probably won't be disappointed.