Before I ask, yep I'm super hooked on this game and I've only been playing it a few hours. Been having fun learning and tweaking my car for drifting the past few days and I've come to the conclusion that a wheel is a must as I've seen around the forums. My question is which wheel is preferred? I'd like to stay away from the Logitech G25 although technically I still have the budget for it. I'd like to pick a less expensive model that will work just fine and have the wheel, pedals, shifter. Any suggestions or what you guys have been happy with using? Thanks in advance.

Well, if you want to go cheaper, that certaintly doesn't help. Because the cheaper you get, the worse the construction is, and parts/pieces begin to break down easily. Plus there hasn't been a new "good" wheel out for about 2 years now I think. And all the old ones are ancient.

I'd recommend the black MOMO from Logitech, or the Logitech Driving Force Pro, but both of those have crap pedals, and have too many good traits, and bad traits. The G25 is definitely something to consider, since it is a newer product and the parts in it are designed to last. It is basically Logitech's answer to all their previous wheel's "faults". I have a Red MOMO too, which is a rare model, and that is an excellent wheel. However now that I am using the G25, the red MOMO lacks so much precision compared to the G25... and I thought the MOMO was really good in this area. Not anymore

G25 has made me way more consistent in races, and confident because the range of the pedals and smoothness/accuracy of the wheel results in godlike laptimes and consistency. I just won a race last night in the FO8, and never made any mistake due to controller problems like I'd normally have. Plus have just run 2 world records with it, and that's something to be happy about

I'm just about ready to push that purchase button on the G25. It looks like a good investment and I plan on using it alot so here I go.

I am a current user of the DFP and I have problems with the "notchy" geared feeling it gives when under high FFB forces and relatively low range of motion, especially when I play Nascar 2k3. I tried switching back to my old Wingman Formula Force because it's a lot smoother, but it just doesn't have the range of motion required for smooth driving.

Optimizing the settings makes a big difference with the DFP.

Put overall FFB in control panel on 100% and nothing else. And adjust force strength in the game.

All other forces on 0% and centering disabled.

Also have the wheels firmware set to 60% (more detailed FFB) with LEFT-PADDLE+SELECT+R3. Left LED should flash once.
(Repeat the button combination and it will flash twice for the standard 100% mode. Have it set to the 60% one!!)
You will have to repeat this procedure each time you start your PC or unplug the wheel.

Try it the wheel will feel a lot looser.

(Higher degree modes will be more usable!)