I also used to drive with 'stick. Drove about half years and in that time I got pretty good with it. It was easy to drive tight and turny combos, since the steering precision was higher and counter-steering was much faster to do. Joystick requires some adjusting to settings. Mainly about the turning since it has to be somewhat "numb" to compensate.
The throttle-brake was with the y-axis and therefore it simulated "right foot driving". Braking while turning was difficult.
Then I bought a wheel. My laptimes sunk. Although at the same time the current physicpatch came, so I blame that too
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About three months went from the switch before I started to make better times than with joystick. The most hardest part in the transition at first was the FF.
I don't think I could go back to 'stick anymore, but I rather back to stick than to mouse.
You drive with what you got. Be a 'sticker and be a proud one!
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Wheel ain't necessary better. It's all subjective. Use what you can to enjoy lfs!