So I've owned a few different force feedback wheels over the years. My first was a Driving Force Pro, followed by a G25. Eventually I switched to a Porsche 911 Turbo S with ClubSport pedals. Now, I use a GT2 with those same ClubSport pedals.
Recently, Fanatec decided to blow out their entry level 911 Carrera Wheel in a RennSport Wheel Stand bundle. The price was too good to pass up, so I did some incredibly early Christmas shopping. I fired up the wheel to make sure it wasn't DOA and also updated the firmware to 681. I figured I'd offer some impressions of this step backwards for me.
The 911 Carrera wheel uses the same mold as the GT3 RS and GT2 wheels. The wheel rim is covered in blue rubber instead of Alcantara and it's very grippy. The base of the unit is unpainted blue and black plastic. Also, the soft touch rubber coating is completely absent from the wheel housing, which really makes the wheel feel less like an automotive part and more like a gaming peripheral. The spokes and buttons still have a beautiful silver finish to them though. Overall, the wheel looks and feels quite nice for the price, but I really wish Fanatec had stuck to a monochromatic scheme as I think that would have looked a little higher end. The mix of silver, black, and dark blue looks odd.
The standard Fanatec pedals surprised me. I expected to really hate them after becoming accustomed to the ClubSport pedals, but there's a lot to like. The construction is entirely black plastic, but the base is wide and feels sturdy. Each pedal has a unique feel. The clutch is degressive and has a real heft to it, with decent travel. The brake is very firmly sprung, but could use a little more travel. The large, floppy throttle pedal is bottom hinged and light. It's very easy to modulate. There are a few rubber pads on the bottom of the base, but the pedals can still slide on a hardwood floor. If you're racing on carpet, the pedals have strips of Velcro hook on the bottom to anchor them in place.
I tested out the Carrera on the PC with rFactor and F1 2010 (finally got that 🤬 game to run stably!). First, if you're used to Fanatec's belt driven wheels, a T500 RS, or even a G27, this thing is pretty loud. It uses a direct gear drive to power the force feedback. I don't believe the gears are helical, and there's small feedback deadzone when switching directions. That feedback deadzone was the biggest annoyance to me. I don't think I could go back to a gear driven wheel full time. Actual steering is very precise. Force feedback effects can still be quite strong, as the wheel uses the same motor as the other models. Just like the premium Fanatec wheels, the Carrera has the full tuning menu, which makes it very flexible. I adjusted to the standard pedals very quickly. The clutch felt great, and the light, floppy throttle didn't bother me like I thought it would, and it's great for racing in socks. I had the toughest time adjusting to the brake. The throw is short, and I missed the load cell. Still, after half an hour my lap times were very close.
So those are my impressions. If you already have a Turbo S, GT3 RS, GT2, or G27, obviously those are much better wheels. They're smoother, quieter, stronger, and feel more realistic. But for effectively $70 USD when purchased as part of the RennSport Wheel Stand bundle, the 911 Carrera wheel is a steal. If you have no wheel, or even a Driving Force Pro or Driving Force GT, it's a great turnkey package.
