Drifting is an amazing automobile sport. It has been around for a few decades, but few people ever consider it as a habit.
It’s a strange phenomenon, especially since drifting has lots of entertainment value. And that was emphasized through many popular movies, like the Fast and Furious Series.
You see, drifting is more of a beautiful show than it is a sport. You get to see cars sliding at high speeds in a tilted manner, and through tight and dangerous corners.
It’s thrilling to witness drifts as a spectator. And it’s also thrilling from the view point of the driver!
Speaking of Drivers…
You might want to try the sport at some point. And if you do, then you should be aware of a few specific requirements.
That is, not all cars can drift. Some features must available in a car for it to be eligible, including…
- Proper Chassis Balance.
- Rear Wheel Drive.
- Tenable Engine.
- Limited Slip Differential.
And of course, a stylish vinyl finish isn’t bad either!
Drift History
Before we get into car models, we think it’s best to learn a little more on the origins of drifting.
And with that, let’s start with the really old automobiles.
Almost a century ago (when cars were first invented), drivers were quite cautious. They thought that accidents would occur at speeds higher than 15MPH. And you had insane safety mechanisms back then…
Obviously, that misconception has slowly died out over time. And as time progressed, we were able to create cars with massive horsepower and even higher levels of acceleration.
So it’s not surprising that today, we have cars that exceed 1000 BHP!
But Power Brings a Problem With It.
Cars function with tires. And there’s so much speed a tire can handle before it breaks down.
This concept applies a lot to drifting. When you do your burnouts, elevens, and sliding displays – your tires wear.
And this is usually due to low traction (caused by poor chassis, and tires that lacked grip).
This lack of traction was what brought drifting into light. It’s the reason why old cars (especially American muscle cars) were used as prime drifting vehicles.
With That History Out of the Way.
You need to find cars with low traction that are good for drifting. And below, we’ve assembled a good drift cars for you.
We have 7 Good Drift Cars to try. Check them all out, and pick your drift vehicle!
(1) Chevy Lumina SS/Pontiac GTO – Cheap Drift Car
If you need a budget drift car, this is an excellent option for you.
The GTO/Lumina can achieve a good drift. It comes with a powerful V8 engine that provides the necessary torque to quickly start drifting.
Plus, the car’s pretty sizeable too. So if you’re not using it for drifting, you can always use it for everyday needs!
That is, this is a car you can go in shopping in, and not catch too much of an eye (unlike the next few options). Plus, it’s good for a stable public image too.
In essence, it’s budget and multi-functional – and we highly recommend it for beginners!
(2) Ford Mustang – Old Model American Drift Car
We’ve started our list with an American recommendation. And we’ll keep it going with another excellent recommendation.
When you look at older muscle cars, you’ll always find good drift potential in them. And the Mustang isn’t an exception.
This car has an old-school suspension, with excellent torque and a good wheelbase. Plus, it’s quite stylish, so you’ll get many looks while driving it!
(3) Mazda RX-7 – Japanese Sports Drift Car
American cars aside, let’s start by discussing some Japanese beauties.
The Mazda RX-7 is an iconic sports drift car. It’s an amazing drifting vehicle, even though driving it requires a little experience.
So what makes it iconic? It’s the sleek look, the fact that RX7s are out of production – plus their rarity.
This isn’t a car you’ll see on the road often (if at all). Plus, it’s much rarer than the more known Nissan 240SX, so you might struggle to find some parts for it.
In fact, expect to get most high quality replacement parts from Japan.
Fortunately, the manufacturer does provide 240SX replacement kits that work with the RX-7. So you won’t struggle much to replace vital parts.
That aside, this car’s a beauty and worth the ownership. Sure, it’s a little powerful, with a high rev motor, and a buzzing sound for an engine. So it gets take some time getting used too.
We highly recommend this drift car if you have the money, and you want to be a little flashy!
(4) Toyota Corolla AE86 – Beginner Drift Car
Finding an AE86 is a little troublesome, but this drift car is worth the effort. It suits amateurs and professionals alike, and it was a favorite of the Drift King himself (Keiichi Tsuchiya).
However, if you can seek a TRD replacement, then it won’t be an issue. You’ll be in excellent shape, and you’ll drift like a pro!
Now, do note that serious tuning is required to transform your car into a proper drift machine. And you won’t need much, since this drift car already has a 4A-GE naturally aspired engine!
But, take into consideration that the drift car isn’t that fast. It only has 130HP, and with a 1.6 liter engine.
With that in-mind, the slow acceleration can be considered safe for beginners. So if you want a learning vehicle, or something to take to events, this drift car works well!
(5) Nissan 350Z – All Time Favorite Drift Car
This was made between the years 2002 and 2009. It has always been a fan favorite for drifters, and for many reasons!
Let’s start with the looks. This car’s unorthodox in its appearance. It isn’t boxy like most drift cars.
It’s quite round and sleek, with a soft impression that makes it look like a sports. So it’s suitable for posh tastes too!
Performance-wise, this drift car is a monster. While it does look soft, this car comes as RWD, and with a standard limited slip differential. So even without tuning, it’s suitable for drifting!
But let’s get to the engine. This car has a V6 3.5 liter engine, with 285 HP. So it accelerates quite rapidly, and it gets into drift mode with ease!
The motor is easy to maintain, and it’ll run for quite a long time. In fact, the 350Z is an engine to seek if you want longevity.
That aside, the car does have a few problems…
First, it’s a little heavy. So you’re doing a ton of weight reduction to take out what you’re not using in the vehicle.
And second, the acceleration can be too much for some people. However, it’s good if you plan on using very high horsepower cars in the long-term.
Over all, this is an excellent drift car, and we highly recommend it!
(6) BMW M3 – German Best Drift Car
If you don’t like Japanese or American cars, then why not seek something German?
German drift cars are known for high horsepower and rear wheel drives – both vital traits for proper drifting.
And a car that embodies that well is the BMW M3 (the E36 model from the 1990s). It’s RWD, with a 280 horsepower engine. Plus, it comes with a limited slip differential too!
Now, it is somewhat of a luxury car. So you will get it with leather seats and other comfort options for everyday use.
You can always strip those out in favor of bucket seats and roll cages. With the right setup, you can turn this into a high performance sports car, and with little money spent!
(7) Mercedes C63 AMG – German Best Drift Car
Want something more powerful than a BMW M3, but still German? If so, try Mercedes’ AMG series!
The C63 is an excellent option. And while it does have a high sticker price, this car’s massive engine more than makes up for it.
The C63 comes with a V8 engine (6.2 liter) with a loud grunt. You’ll immediately feel the launch and torque as you hit the pedal!
It is fun, and we recommend it – that is, if you’re willing to take out all the luxury items in the car after purchase.
But do note, before using this drift car, we recommend a suspension upgrade. You want something a little stiff that can handle the jerking of drift action!
Final Summary
Drifting is a serious sport, and there’s much to it that you can learn.
Whether you’re new or old, always stay informed. You want to select the right car for you that maximizes the pleasure of drifting!
