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How to Get More Cars in Iracing

New to iRacing? Learn how to get more cars in iRacing, how iRacing works, and the smartest ways to buy content—clear, calm tips for iRacing beginners who want results.

Opened iRacing, saw a tiny car list, and thought… did I miss something? You didn’t. This trips up almost everyone who’s new to iRacing. Take a breath—I’ll show you exactly how to expand your garage, spend wisely, and enjoy racing sooner.

Quick Answer: how to get more cars in iracing

You don’t “unlock” cars by grinding. In iRacing, you buy additional cars from the iRacing Store. Your subscription includes a starter set (e.g., Mazda MX‑5, GR86, Formula Vee). To get more, choose the cars you want and purchase them—license level affects series access, not what you’re allowed to buy.

Why This Matters for Beginners

iRacing beginners often assume cars unlock as you level up. That’s a common gaming habit—but it’s not how iRacing works. Content is à la carte. The upside: you only buy what you’ll actually race. The trick is choosing the right first purchases so you join more races without overspending.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Check what you already own: In the UI, go to Cars and filter by “Owned” to see your base content. Those free cars can already run great Rookie/D class series.
Pick a path: Choose one discipline for now—road, oval, dirt oval, or dirt road. This focuses your spending and practice.
Match cars to a series: Open Series, click one you want, and review the required car/track list. Aim for a car that appears in multiple seasons or ladders (e.g., GT3, NASCAR B/C, TCR).
Buy smart in the Store: Filter by “Unowned.” Look for lower-priced “Legacy” cars if you want affordable practice options. iRacing offers automatic volume discounts when you buy several items at once.
Download and drive: After purchase, install via the Updates/Content tab. Use Test Drive or AI (with owned tracks) to learn the car before joining official sessions.

Common Mistakes

Buying a cool car you’ll rarely race: Always check series participation and schedules first.
Forgetting tracks: You need both the car and the track to join sessions; factor track purchases into your plan.
Waiting for a license to “unlock” content: You can buy any car anytime—the license just controls the series you can enter.

Quick Pro Tips

Start with cars that appear across multiple active series to maximize seat time.
Legacy cars cost less and are great for learning fundamentals.
Keep purchases in one cart to trigger iRacing’s multi-item discount; watch for seasonal sales (e.g., Black Friday).
Use AI races to learn car behavior and racecraft without pressure.
Favor stable, well-supported classes (Mazda Cup, GR86, GT3, NASCAR C/B) for plentiful races and setups.

When to Ask for Help

If you’re unsure which car fits your goals or hardware, ask. The official iRacing forums and community Discords are friendly places to get real-world opinions, setup links, and “buy/don’t buy” guidance for your target series.

FAQs

Do licenses unlock cars?
No. Licenses gate the series you can join. Cars are purchased separately in the Store.
Can I try a car before buying?
There isn’t a universal free trial per car. Watch onboard videos, ask a friend to stream laps, and read reviews. Occasionally iRacing runs promo test events.
Do I need to buy tracks too?
Yes. To join any session (official, hosted, or AI), you must own both the car and the track.
What’s the cheapest way to expand my garage?
Stick to one discipline, target popular classes, include legacy items when useful, and bundle purchases to use the multi-item discount.

Final Takeaways

Pick one discipline, choose a series, then buy the car that gives you the most racing for your money. Tonight, run 10 laps in the free Mazda MX‑5 or GR86, note what you enjoy, and let that guide your next purchase. That’s how to get more cars in iRacing without the overwhelm.