Just for the sense of completeness:
http://www.netkar-pro.com/main/
Free tracks:
http://www.drivingitalia.net/forum/i...07#entry594190
For 4 bucks, it is worth it, if for no other reason that the default Trneto-Bondone hillclimb, and the mod of the Nordschleife, looking old, but driving it with this title is fun.
As for your questions, on F1 I cannot answer with own experience, but the title has the reputation of being no hardcore simulation, and feeling arcadish.
On wheels, racing simulations with xbox controllers is like planes without wings: it does not compute. You can be fast, yes: but you never have the feeling of actually driving something, instead you control something with an exotic alien device in wq somewhat queer manner, that happens to look like a car.
Next, FFB is a must. Good simulations just provide too much info via the steering, which is especially true for the latest generation of sims like AC.
Next is the wheel rpotaiton angle. Chepaer models offer 250°, and good ones can be had for 150 Euros on. I had the Ferrari 430, and I love dit, it had very good manufacturing quality, and a nice heavy, solid feeling.
I upgraded from there - for AC - to the G27. Main difference is that this wheel rotates 900°. Also, it has a clutch pedal, and the manual shifter. In buttons oin the wheel (quality, number) ,it is inferior, also, the paddle of the 430 felt better, more solid. However - I never regretted the additional investment, those 900° make all the difference.
Wheel of 900° and even 1050° can be had for much more money. Yu can spend almlost a thosuand dollars for Wheel, pedals, shifter, and even more. Seen that way, the G27, with reaosnmable quality and good performance, imo offers the best bang-for-the-buck ratio on the market. In Germany, it can be spotted for 230-250 euros occassionally, sometimes for 280-300.
If you can get it for 250 Euros, get it, it is an okay price.
If you go for second hand, keep in mind that FFB wheels have wear and tear, you then should secure some sort of a warranty in case the wheel shows to be dysfunctional soon. If there is some clearance/tolerance of the wheel's axis centre, well, some is okay, too much obviously is not. Do not buy second hand without being able to check the item before with your own hands and eyes. Usually, people report happily about the longevity of the wheel.
If you can afford the price, the G27 is a good choice, therefore. It's worth to save a little for it. If you pay 120 for something less, I would say you waste money. If you feel like that, try to find a 430 for around 130-150 Euros, for the above reasons I mentioned. also: it looks nice and has this cool feature, the Manettino switch
I just checked US Amazon for the 430. Boy that thing is
expensive over there! Forget it. I got mine some years ago for 150 euros, it now costs 330 dollar. The G27 is cheaper with US Amazon!
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-941-0...1&keywords=G27
244 dollars, that is 178 Euros. For German market conditions, that would be sensationally cheap.