First off, you might consider whether iRacing's the right path to go down, since it can be rather expensive to get deep into. There's other racing sims out there that would be cheaper in the longer run, like Live for Speed or anything Simbin's put out. Still, if Drew showing off the costs in the Quick Look didn't dissuade you, then you should be fine. Just be aware it can get rather pricey.
Looking at your current situation, you'll definitely want a chair and a table or wheel mount for any setup. Couches work for some people, but I find them intrusive and a little cumbersome when trying to drive well. That Fanatec from Craigslist is probably OK, but I don't see any mention of pedals, so you still might have to pick some up from Fanatec's site if that's the case. Logitech also has decent wheels like the G27 that will do nicely, if you can't find or obtain a Fanatec that suits your fancy. I'm just not a fan of how close the Logitech pedals are placed together.
Finally, crucial note here: If you're looking to learn how to use manual transmission from a racing sim, it's not going to teach you all the nuances you'll need to know to handle a manual transmission in a street car. There's a lot more feeling and sensation that racing sims just aren't able to pick up, especially in the clutch pedal and shifter. They'll help you understand torque curves and when to shift, but not so much on how to properly shift. If you want to learn that in reality, you might consider looking around for a cheap beater car with a manual that you could abuse and stall without much worry. That's the best practice available, even if it's perhaps a bit impractical for the pocketbook.
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