Last updated: October 2026. Equipment prices checked on October 11, 2026, before tax.
"How much does a real sim racing simulator cost?" It is the question we hear most often. The honest answer: from a few hundred dollars to more than CA$6,000, depending on what you mean by "real". This guide breaks a complete simulator down into its building blocks, gives realistic budgets at each level, lists what people often forget to count, and explains what a turnkey installation includes.
THE SHORT ANSWER
- A complete simulator is five blocks: base and wheel, pedals, cockpit, seat, and screens with a PC or console. The pedals are the block that pays back the most on lap time.
- On a desk: CA$400 to CA$700 for a complete direct drive bundle. First real cockpit: from about CA$1,100.
- Complete setups, equipment only: about CA$2,800 (Performance), CA$3,500 (Pro) and CA$6,000 (Signature).
- On top of that: screens and a mount, a PC or console, and games or subscriptions.
- With a turnkey setup, we choose the gear with you, then assemble, wire and calibrate it at your place in half a day to a full day. The quote is free.
The five blocks of a complete simulator
| Block | What it does | Share of budget |
|---|---|---|
| Direct drive base and wheel | Force feedback: what the car tells your hands | 25 to 35% |
| Pedals | Braking, where most lap time is won | 15 to 30% |
| Cockpit | Rigidity: without it, the base and brake lose precision | 15 to 25% |
| Seat | Comfort over time and driving position | 10 to 15% |
| Screens, PC or console | Your view and the computing power | Varies, often underestimated |
Indicative split based on the setups we build. Our beginner's guide covers each block in detail.
Realistic budgets, level by level
| Level | Equipment budget | What you get | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| On a desk | CA$400 to CA$700 | A complete direct drive bundle on a clamp | PXN VD6 Bundle (CA$615) or Cammus C5 (CA$390) |
| First cockpit | from CA$1,100 | The same bundle on a rigid aluminium profile cockpit | Bundle + 6Sigma 6S Slim V2 (CA$499) |
| Performance | about CA$2,800 | 12 Nm base, load cell pedals, 6Sigma cockpit, seat | See below |
| Pro | about CA$3,500 | Conspit ecosystem, hydraulic pedals, stiffer cockpit | See below |
| Signature | about CA$6,000 | 20 Nm, high-end GT wheel, SRP pneumatic pedals | See below |
Equipment only, in Canadian dollars, before tax, checked on October 11, 2026. Screens and PC extra.
The biggest jump comes between the desk and the first cockpit: the same base, mounted on a rigid chassis, becomes noticeably more precise. To compare entry bundles, see our budget direct drive comparison.
Three complete setups, priced out
These are the three starting points on our turnkey page. They help you place your budget; we then adapt them to your space, your preferred brands, your disciplines and availability.
| Performance | Pro | Signature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Moza R12 V2, 12 Nm | Conspit ARES 12, 12 Nm | Conspit ARES Platinum, 20 Nm |
| Wheel | Moza KS Pro | Conspit 300 GT | Conspit MAX01 |
| Pedals | Simagic P1000, load cell | Conspit CPP.LITE, hydraulic | SRP GT-R, pneumatic |
| Cockpit | 6Sigma 6S-80 V2 | 6Sigma 6S-120 V2 | 6Sigma 6S-160 V2 |
| Seat | PassionSim GT Diamond | PassionSim GT PRO | Next Level Racing ES3 Elite |
| Equipment | about CA$2,800 | about CA$3,500 | about CA$6,000 |
| For | Moving from a gaming wheel to a real rig | The regular driver who wants no compromise | The best of every brand |
Equipment-only totals at listed prices on October 11, 2026, before tax, without screens or installation.
What people forget to count
- Screens and their mount. A cockpit-mounted stand keeps the image steady: count CA$343 for a 6Sigma single mount and CA$546 for a triple mount, plus the monitors. Our cockpit guide compares single, triple, ultrawide and VR.
- The PC or console. Most high-end bases are PC only; check our compatibility guide before buying.
- Games and subscriptions, such as iRacing.
- Accessories for your discipline: a shifter and handbrake for rally or drift. Our shifter and handbrake guide helps you choose.
- Space. A cockpit takes up roughly the footprint of a reclined armchair; measure first.
Turnkey: what the installation includes
If you would rather not build anything yourself, our turnkey service covers everything, with one point of contact from the first call to the first lap:
- We choose the gear with you, based on your space, budget and disciplines.
- We assemble and wire it: cockpit, base, wheel, pedals and screens, with no loose cables.
- We calibrate force feedback, pedals and profiles in your sims.
- We hand over the keys: a walkthrough, then follow-up after installation.
Installation takes half a day to a full day depending on the setup: a single-screen cockpit goes up faster than triple screens with haptics and cable management. Availability in your area and any travel fees are confirmed in the quote, which is free. Already have your gear? Our installation service handles just the build.
Get a turnkey quote
Tell us your space, budget and disciplines, and we will come back with a proposal, no commitment.
Turnkey simulator Build it myselfThe most expensive mistakes
- A powerful base on a light stand. Beyond 8 to 10 Nm, a light tubular stand flexes and force feedback gets lost in the structure.
- Putting everything into the base and nothing into the pedals. A load cell pedal set often finds more lap time than a stronger base. Our pedal guide explains why.
- Buying for a console without checking. Many bases only work on PC.
- Leaving screens out of the budget. It is often the line that blows up the total.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a complete sim racing simulator cost?
For equipment, count CA$400 to CA$700 for a direct drive bundle on a desk, from about CA$1,100 with a first cockpit, then about CA$2,800, CA$3,500 and CA$6,000 for our complete Performance, Pro and Signature setups. Screens, PC and installation are extra.
What is a turnkey sim racing simulator?
A simulator chosen, assembled, wired and calibrated for you, ready to drive.
How long does installation take?
From half a day to a full day, depending on the setup and the number of screens.
Are screens included in the setups?
No. Setup prices cover the driving equipment. Screens, their mount and installation are detailed in the quote.
Can I pay for a simulator in instalments?
Yes, instalment payments are available with Shop Pay. The terms are shown at checkout, depending on the amount.
Written by the PassionSim team, a Canadian sim racing store. We sell, build and drive this gear every day — send us your questions or come try a simulator in store.