For all kind of racing I like I already have my selection of their virtual versions: NR2003 for stock car racing; GTR2 for GT racing; Race07 and expansion packs for touring car; GP Legend, F1C 99-02 and F1 2010 for open wheel racing. Once I thought I fell in love with rally and bought Dirt3 (regret it now..).
However, reading your stories about rFactor here, lately I've been interested in that sim. So far I understand that rFactor is a lot like MS Flight Simulator, where it is only as good as the add-ons you're installing.
My question is simple: I already have the aforementioned sims; do you guys think buying rFactor is a waste of money? I mean, why installing NASCAR mod for rFactor when I already have NR2003, for example.
Of course, everybody here seem to be racing rFactor online, and I am interested to go online racing too. Other than that, do you have any other reasons to buy rFactor? For some odd reason that I can't explain myself, I reaaaally want to have this sim right now..
Your advice is highly appreciated. Thanks.

Don't get rFactor for single-player.
If you plan on racing online, then rF is nice.

yes especialy considering how cheap you can buy it these days, I use to have it installed but deleted it shortley after as i got lost with all the addons etc, it was not untill I started looking in the motorsport section of SimHQ it raised my intrest again mostly because these guys pick the good mods. I only install the mods that SimHQ run.

If you like the F1 99-02 series, it's built on the same engine as rFactor is....and there's mods for many of the F1 seasons, recent and historic. Not to mention all kinds of different racing series that you can try out. You've got the main types covered it looks like with your other choices...rFactor just gives you flexibility, one of it's good points.

As for F1 2010 and it's "replication" of Formula 1, I'll reserve comment on it...

To echo Grim_Death if its for single player DONT get rF, the AI are at thick as two short planks and will just run you over if you get in there way.

If its for online then go for it, its the best most stable online racer out there ATM.
(I don't include iRacing in that statement due to the financial commitment that goes along with it).

Thanks, guys. Yes, I'm interested in going online. Been practicing hard to drive smoothly now with the help of Simbin's awesome, human-like AIs. So far I understand that the key to racing online is to drive around your opponents, rather than into them ^_^. OOT, anyone has links for tutorial for racing online with rFactor for newbies? Can't seem to find any.
BTW, I heard that rFactor AI aren't good, but I wouldn't mind using the sim for Time Trials, as long as it physic modelling is good. I agree about the flexibility thingy, just shudder to think about how many HD space rFactor would take if I love this sim too much.. my MSFS installation is now around 16GB with all add-ons I gather over the years, and the initially 600MB NR2003 is now more than 4GB already.. hehehe

My rFactor folder was 60gb once.

Two mods of note have good, maybe even great AI: DRM mod and the Skodas mod. The rest are marginal. rFactor is first and foremost a platform for online racing, and is weak overall in offline as others have commented. rFactor 2 is supposed to be a just ahead for single player, but we'll see when it arrives.

My plug for an rFactor tutorial is join us for at least the practice races on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. You'll pick-up a ton in a short time, we don't mind questions and bringing new drivers in. If you're comfortable, join the main event races. If not, even spectating is a good teacher.

Thanks for the info, guod. BTW, do you think it's better for me to get rFactor right now or wait until rFactor2 is released?
And about online tutorial, what I meant is how to actually connect in the first place. Do I need a software to do that (some kind of IvAp for MSFS)?

rFactor is so dirt cheap right now ($20) it wouldn't be much of an expense.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000VOSQ0Q/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Or get the rFactor Lite version. If you're going to focus on online, the mods, tracks, and add-ons are provided for our races.
http://www.rfactorcentral.com/rfactor_lite.cfm

I'd say enjoy the mods for the current version then get rFactor 2 after a maintenance patch or two arrives. That will still give you several months for a minimal investment (except time) then you'll be up on the file structure when v2 arrives.

rFactor comes with everything you need except for the ISP broadband connection. Since you already have racing sims, I presume you have a wheel and pedals.

You're 100% correct in the analogy of FSX. There are good mods and real stinkers. We try to run the good ones.