There is no gentle way to put the price gap: the T818 costs roughly five times what the R9 V3 does for one extra Newton-metre of torque, and it scores lower on our rubric. As a pure wheelbase decision, the MOZA is the obvious call - it is the value benchmark at the entry tier and it competes with far pricier bases on feel. Nothing about the raw base comparison favours the Thrustmaster.
What the T818 is really selling is the ecosystem. It is Thrustmaster's first credible answer to the direct drive transition, and the SF1000 rim catalogue is the actual reason to buy it - if you want F1-style wheels and the Thrustmaster mounting system, or you already own Thrustmaster gear, that is the pull. The base itself is good without being class-leading, so you are paying the premium for the platform around it, not for what the motor does.
So this comes down to one question: do you specifically want the Thrustmaster ecosystem? If yes, and the budget is there, the T818 gets you into it. If you are choosing a base on merit and value, the R9 V3 gives you the same torque for a fraction of the price and puts you on a stronger upgrade ladder. For most people that makes the MOZA the clear pick.