Reddit mentions of Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer for PC

https://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-2969099-Thrustmaster-TS-PC-Racer/dp/B01MQDQA3U/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BOAMWPOPSUX1&keywords=thrustmaster%2Bts-pc&qid=1574694712&sprefix=thrustmaster%2Bts%2Caps%2C1061&sr=8-1&th=1

17% off

The top-end Thrustmaster bases are perfectly comparable to the CSL, everyone in this thread seems to be thinking of the TS-PC / T-GT / TS-XW as equivalent to the T300 which just isn't at all true.

Pedal wise it's trickier as Thrustmaster don't offer a loadcell (though plenty of people would argue the T3PA brake mod makes that fairly superfluous, it's a pretty subjective thing and a lot of the time it's post-purchase rationalisation either way) - but you can always use Fanatec's pedals with Thrustmaster's base.

Just for the sake of (much) cheaper rims I'd personally go for a TS-PC instead of the CSL, even if I was using the Fanatec pedals. I'd either go for the TS-PC and add the 599XX or Sparco r383 rim, or the TS-XW by itself (though Thrustmaster are a bit weird with selling that one with the T3PAs) and then get the Fanatec CSL pedals.

That should be within your budget roughly

TS-PC Racer: $450

TM Sparco R383: $200

CSL Elite LC: $200

Or alternatively you could look at the 488 Challenge wheel which just came out which is a 9:10 scale replica (32cm diameter compared to the standard T300's 28cm) on the TS base, which oculd be very nice (but bumps up the price a decent amount - if you wanted a formula rim you'd probably have to get the Ferrari F1 which is a bit plasticky compared to the rest)

Edit: The caveat here is that if you think you might end up moving up to a Clubsport wheelbase there might be a reason to start investing in the Fanatec ecosystem regarding rims etc. but you're well into diminishing returns at this point and there's every chance that Thrustmaster keep on bringing out higher end wheels given their current trends with the 488 Challenge/TS-XW/T-GT etc.

Amazon magically has them back also for $399, 27% off: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQDQA3U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Also an option for us Canadians. is the TS-PC racer. Right now it's $504.99 CAD with free shipping if you have prime. I had it in my watch list for a while and I ordered one yesterday when they went from about $606 CAD to to $527. Of course the day after they go even lower and Amazon won't credit me the difference :/

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01MQDQA3U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Price History

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Next step is a wheel with a good base. I mean, G920 is like 200-250€. Next clever step is to try some base with some good wheel. 300-500€

Thrustmaster TS-PC

[Thrustmaster T500 RS] https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thrustmaster-T500-Force-Wheel-Feedback/dp/B004GNG2MW?th=1

And you can find some fanatec between that prices...but I think best wheel quality/price is the Fanatec Clubsport if you dont think about Open Sim Wheel.

Hope it helps you!

Another option that's pretty close your price range is to get the TS-PC with your G27 pedals with a logitec pedal adaptor. I don't think the Thrustmaster pedals would be much of an upgrade anyway. If you really want to upgrade your G27 pedals, I think your best bet would be some PT1's.

This would cost you 120 more than my first recommendation. Though it would also mean getting the latest and greatest Thrustmaster. Fanatec does offer a better wheel, but this is pretty close to the highest quality wheel you can get outside of a direct drive wheel.