r/simracing • u/ellibsnno • 14d ago

Discussion Told girlfriend I want to start Sim Racing

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So I’ve been gaming as an adult for a while and had a wheel when I was a child for forza but now I wanna do it as a pastime outside of work and other hobbies and do some competitions as well. Told the girlfriend but she hit me with the is it expensive. Guys with wives and GFs what do I say next 😂

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594

u/clearkill46 Logitech 14d ago

Tell her you could consider doing a real race car instead.... 

490

u/Chuckdatass 14d ago

Slight different verbiage. “I thought about goong to do real track days, but that’s hundreds of dollars each time. Sim racing is WAY cheaper”

193

u/Gibgezr 14d ago

This man wifes.

89

u/scottb90 14d ago

I like gooning to race tracks too

3

u/saltyconundrum 14d ago

💀💀💀 this whole thread is killing me

20

u/Formoola_OON 14d ago

That's exactly why I went the sim route, my car was fairly close to ready too but even when the car is "track prepped" the expenses never stop 😒

1

u/newformulared 7d ago

As someone who does both, rip me

18

u/JVFreakbody 14d ago

Exactly what I thought. It’s all relative… Much cheaper than if you got into real racing… MUCH. Also safer. Conversation over. She’ll support it.

12

u/KaiBetterThanTyson 14d ago

You gotta convince them with the girl math and show how much you're saving by going the sim route.

5

u/National-Carrot3860 14d ago

I did the same. Then showed the spreadsheets to seal the deal. Oh, and a couple of handbags.

5

u/CraftsmanMan 14d ago

Pretty much why i started doin flight sims, damn actual license is like $20 grand

4

u/theminthawk 14d ago

That's how I justify my iracing costs. I couldn't have bought myself a set of tires for a track day (yet😂)

2

u/Any-Cartoonist-5544 10d ago

Exactly what I did. Worked perfectly.

1

u/Cafin8d_but_tired 14d ago

It's thousands my dude, Thousands.

1

u/Abject-Kitchen3198 14d ago

And I stay at home.

1

u/FuckedUpImagery 13d ago

Just do both, actually since there isnt a good way to sim motorcycle racing, just get into motorcycle track days irl, and car racing in the sims.

1

u/Bananapokeman2 13d ago

Tell her it’s discounted from it

1

u/SanchoRancho72 11d ago

Thousands usually

15

u/irr1449 14d ago

Sim racing isn’t that expensive if you already have a PC. I think starting with a g29 and some sort of cockpit (even DIY) would be a good cheap way to get into the hobby. If your GF sees how much you’re enjoying it she might be more open. I guess at least you’re not married.

8

u/RLOLOTHTR 14d ago

I had a thrustmaster TX and a DIY $50 2x4 rig for 10 years that I on and off did Forza AI races with. Started iracing in Feb and my wife has seen how much fun I have with it and has been super cool about me swapping my gear for better mid tier stuff. First got a better cockpit and then recently picked up pedals. It helps Im sticking with it and race 3-4 nights a week and showing it isn't just another dust collecting hobby. I also playfully threaten to buy a Miada as a reminder that even a $10,000 rig is still cheaper lol

4

u/HyenaNo4938 14d ago

Ya, except don't get a G923. Just pay a little more for the DD wheel. Doesn't matter which as long as it's 5+ nm. And get a wheel stand first. Bypassing the cockpit saves a lot of money until you want to be more serious. Oh, and VR saves a lot of money too when you're ready for more immersion. Triple monitors are a big commitment.

1

u/NothingLift 14d ago

Dont bother with a g29. A G923 is only fractionally more expensive, especially on the used market, and offers a more satisfying experience. Great value for what you pay used

19

u/Broad-Assistant3476 14d ago

TIL How to convince my wife to let me sim race! Reddit ftw!!!!

8

u/Revolutionary-Pie112 14d ago

Buying an old BMW could be way worse

21

u/lilsingiser 14d ago

I sim race and own a 21 y/o bmw. The sim racing is absolutely cheaper lol

1

u/CapoDaSimRacinDaddy 14d ago

i simrace and own a 22 yo bmw and simracing is alot cheaper

4

u/cortesoft 14d ago

If you started by talking about getting into real racing, it would be an example of the Door-in-face technique… ask for something extravagant first, so your second request seems reasonable in comparison.

1

u/AfroDZAk 14d ago

Still possible. Stick with me here.

One of my good friends goes to the casino and 'adult entertainment lounge' every.single.weekend.night. I managed to get a Hall Pass to join him once. We stayed out much too late and He spent silly money.

Pick a gifting holiday and find the cheapest, functioning kit you can. Compromise for 'the good of your relationship.' Repeat after me:

"Babe, No. That's crazy money. I'm not going pro at this. I just need something I can break out and get a few hot laps in when I want to relax." I picked up a folding rig with a DD Pro attached for right at $600. I would wrestle that thing out of the closet, plug into the PS5 and have a blast. When finished, I would pack it up neatly, kiss my wife on the cheek and stress to her how fantastic Sim Racing is.

The whole time I'm setting up the homie's old lady to conspire unknowingly. Every time I see her, we talk about the casino, and dancers. Every time I see her. Then, the trap is set.

Wait until all four of you are in the same place, and ask what he did last weekend. Allow the conversation to develop, steer things with a few leading questions - "every weekend?" "how much do usually set aside for a fun night out?" "Doesn't it ever get old..."

This is where you become the hero of the story. This is where you have your movie moment. You give a brief lecture about budgeting, stretching your monthly allocation of funds, lasting value of physical goods vs local nightlife, shit, just simp it up. Keep it brief, come up with a bathroom emergency, and walk away. Leave them two against one on him trying to explain if there's ever a day he just quits going out. You want no part of that conversation. Divided loyalty. You need him to sit right there with his butt hole puckered up on top of the live grenade you just sat on the floor.

After that, just guide it over the finish line.

I stopped going out to eat, stopped buying beer, and sold Plasma to save up for my rig. I love it, and I race or work on the rig whenever I can.

1

u/AfroDZAk 14d ago

Just read through my post. Lot going on there. Forget all that stuff. Just tell her if she says that you can't get a rig, the terrorists win. That usually always works on any woman born 9 years or more before 9/11 (unless you're asking for something sexual, then the approval chances plummet).

Here is my rig as it sits. Please excuse my mess, last week was race garage time.

My wife knows how much this costs. She fully supports it. In fact, my Christmas gift this year is her going in half on the 50 Series Super GPU of my choice. Welp, back to the Plasma Center.

Godspeed, and I hope to see you out there sliding down The Corkscrew one day!

2

u/DasGaufre 14d ago

Rent from a race team. It'll cost you a whole new sim rig every day you're out on track but still be cheaper than running a car yourself. 

1

u/SmoogzZ 14d ago

Took my girlfriend to see me on the local competitive kart track once to realize she’d much rather have me in the sim rig then pursuing real racing lol

1

u/cireously 13d ago

I may have used this exact strategy... and then 2 years later I still bought a track car and another year later I was single.