Drifting is a fun motor sport becoming more popular among youngsters. This is because people have realized that engine power, suspension, and tire quality are not primary requirements to drift. Cars good for drifting must have a well-balanced chassis, a low center of gravity, a rear-wheel drive configuration, a manual e-brake, and a manual transmission.
Most drifters modify their cars, adding a limited-slip differential. If you want to start drifting, first, you have to know which cars can maintain the stylish bend without failing.
10 Fantastic Cars Good for Drifting
Many criteria have to be met for a car to drift safely. We’ve chosen ten cool cars good for drifting to discuss in this post. These cars do not require any modification to become good drift cars. You can even make a quick ‘doughnut’ on your way home from the car assembly. Let’s get to it.
1. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is one of the most popular cars good for drifting. The Mustang is an affordable straight-off-factory drifter. All Mustangs are top sports cars. Even older models of Mustangs are good drifting machines.
SN95 Mustangs (Ford Mustangs manufactured between 1994 and 2004) are particularly good for drifting. These Mustangs weigh much less than in previous and later years. Used SN95 Mustangs are abundantly available and cheap to modify. You can easily get one if you want a cool drift car that won’t cost you a fortune.
All Mustangs tick the right boxes for a great drift car. The coupe is configured to RWD and comes powered by one of two impressive engine options. The 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces up to 468 horsepower. Or the 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine producing up to 315 horsepower. Both engines are mapped to a 10-speed automatic. Additionally, the V8 has a six-speed manual transmission option.
The Mustang is an ideal drifter regardless of the engine it drives on. The average 2004 Mustang (the latest from the SN95 set) costs between $9,000 and $23,000, depending on condition and mileage. The 2024 Ford Mustang starts at $32,515. You can also find different trims and optional features that take the price up to $61,080.
2. Lexus SC 300
The Lexus SC 300 is considered the luxury counterpart of Toyota’s Supra. This is because it shares the Supra’s famed 2JZ engine. In reality, the Lexus SC 300 is just an affordable alternative. It runs on the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE VVTi, not the Supra’s turbo 2JZ-GTE. The naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE still churns enough power for drifters.
The base models are powered by a 2JZ 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine producing up to 225 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Recent models are coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the five-speed manual transmission was only offered until 1997. Manual transmission models are pretty rare, and automatics are more common. All models are configured to Rear-Wheel drive. The price range for a used Lexus SC 300 ranges from $7,000 to around $16,980. This exact price depends on mileage, body condition, and the engine.
3. Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z is one of the cheapest Z cars good for drifting. You can easily find one in good condition that does not require any modifications to hit the tracks. Nissan revived the Z lineup after years of abandonment.
The 350Z drives on a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine configured to an RWD. Drivers get to choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. The V6 produces up to 301 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The lightweight and available modification parts contribute to its ‘drift car’ status.
Like other Z cars, Nissan’s 350Z offers impressive maneuverability and stability. The average used Nissan 350Z costs between $5,990 and $24,290, depending on the vehicle mileage.
4. Infiniti G35
The Infiniti checks all the right boxes for cars good for drifting. It shares the 3.5-liter V6 engine with Nissan’s 350Z, though the H35 has a longer wheelbase. This V6 engine amasses up to 310 horsepower and is driven on a rear-wheel drive layout. The five-speed automatic transmission can go from zero to 60mph in 5.4 seconds. In recent models, you can also choose between the six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic transmission.
The longer wheelbase makes the G35 easier to control when drifting. The best part is that the prices of sticker, repairs, and modification are reasonably affordable. You can get a used Infiniti G35 in perfect condition for an average cost of $9,827. It could be more expensive of cheaper depending on the version and vehicle mileage.
5. Toyota Supra
This is the most popular car on our list of vehicles good for drifting. The A80 Toyota Supra is far more expensive than others on this list. It runs on the iconic 2JZ-GTE non-VVTi engine in a rear-wheel drive layout.
The Supra offers insane power, practical handling, and a responsive experience. It gives you a good grip on your car while you drive. No one buys a Supra for daily runs. Used Toyota Supras are indeed quite affordable. However, going for a new Supra is better than getting a used one from a drifter.
For a Supra, you can pick between a turbocharged four-cylinder engine boosting up to 255 horsepower. The second option is a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 382 horsepower. All Supra models drive on rear-wheel drive layout. The transmission options are the eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission. If you want one of the best drifting experiences in today’s car market, get a Supra.
The latest Toyota GR Supra costs between $47,535 and $66,370, depending on the trim level and additional features.
6. BMW E46 M3
One of the most affordable German drift cars is the BMW E46. The E46 is easy to modify, with a roomy engine bay to accommodate your engine swaps. The E46 versions offer more than enough power for drifting. They are built with responsive chassis for top-class driving experience.
The S54 3.2-liter straight-six engine powers the E46 M3. This is coupled with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed SMG-II transmission. The base model produces up to 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque sent to the rear wheels.
Drifters can enjoy the many aftermarket modification and replacement parts available at affordable prices. You can easily weld the differential and fit suitable coilovers to enhance your drifting. The current cost of a used BMW E46 M3 ranges between $10,981 and $102,999. This price range depends on mileage, vehicle condition, and specific model.
7. Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport
The MX-5 Miata is affordable and accessible to buy. This drift car requires little or no modifications for a perfect track thrill. Parts for replacement and modification are readily available and would not drain your pockets. The NA and NB generations are both seasoned drift cars. Which one you’d pick boils down to preference and availability.
Mazda’s MX-5 Miata offers meager figures compared to most cars in this list. This car runs on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower max. This engine is configured to a six-speed manual transmission powering the rear wheels. Despite the modest figures, this 2-passenger convertible drifts straight from the factory. This is thanks to its lightweight and responsive chassis.
The price range for a Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport is between $28,985 and $35,205.
8. Lexus IS 300
The Lexus IS line features numerous models ranging from affordable to pricy, sporty. Although the expensive ones are more exciting to drive, the basic IS 300 (Naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE VVTi) is still ideal for drifting. The IS 300 is featured among cars that are good for drifting because it is configured to RWD and is still available for modification.
This Japanese drift car is powered by a 24-valve 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 horsepower. Drivers get to select between an AWD and RWD configuration. You can settle for the cheaper 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for higher gas mileage. This trim churns out 241 horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque. Both trims offer fantastic handling and grip for safe drifting.
Additionally, finding replacements is easy and affordable when some parts of the car inevitably get rumpled. The IS 300 is also affordable to modify for drifters looking for extra performance. The engine space is big enough to accommodate whatever engine swaps you want to try out. The latest Lexus IS 300 base model has a starting price of $40,585 in today’s market.
9. Pontiac GTO
All generations of the Pontiac GTO have retained the rear-wheel drive layout and the front-LS V8 engine. The LS engine gives drivers access to a variety of off-the-shelf aftermarket parts. This means you can achieve significantly boosted figures easily. Top drifters have reviewed the GTO as one of the best drift cars ever.
The good part is that the sticker price is affordable. Similarly, the minimal modification required to smash outrageous horsepower numbers costs next to nothing. Older GTOs featured a 6.5-liter V8 or the mighty 7.5-liter V8. Both engine versions were paired with a standard three-speed manual transmission, powering the rear wheels.
The latest GTOs are pretty pricey because they were assembled in Australia with an LS1, 400 hp American engine, then modified before being exported in North America. The price for a used Pontiac GTO currently ranges between $12,995 and $49,977, depending on the version and vehicle mileage.
10. Subaru BRZ
Subaru’s BRZ is so good they built it again. The BRZ’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine can churn out 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This direct-injection SUBARU BOXER engine is shared with its mechanical siblings, Toyota GT86 and Scion FR-S.
The engine is propped to a standard six-speed manual transmission in a rear-wheel drive layout. This little coup sports a low-effort manual transmission and confidently responsive handling, making it one of the top cars good for drifting.
The power output is not top-class, but this does not hamper the BRZ’s drift-ability. However, if you are unsatisfied with the power output, consider modifying the engine. Quality modification and repair parts for the BRZ are easily accessible and cheap.
A new Subaru BRZ starts at $31,315 and goes up to $36,465, depending on the trim and additional features.
11. Toyota GT86
The Toyota GT86 is an impressive drift car. This Toyota coupe offers exciting features that solidify its spot among cars that are good for drifting. Ranging from exquisite maneuverability, stability, and handling.
Like most cars on this list, the GT86’s parts offers many upgrade and replacement parts at affordable prices. Hence, repairing and modifying your car will not leave you broke.
A Toyota GT86 once recorded the longest drift in the world. Holding the record for many years, clocking in at 89.55 miles. This was achieved with a stock 200-horsepower engine, although with the bonus of a wet track. For this level of driving experience, the GT86 is relatively cheap.
It is powered by Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine. This engine produces up to 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The average price for a Toyota GT86 is around $23,992 in today’s market. You can get one for more or less than this price, as controlled by the sale conditions.
12. Scion FR-S
Like the Toyota GT86, Scion’s FR-S shares Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine. You can expect the same exciting driving experience. The FR-S drives on the RWD layout like most top drifting cars. It is cheaper and still features a super responsive chassis. Driving on a powerful engine that produces up to 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Scion FR-S starts at about $12,000 and goes up to $23,000, depending on the model year and condition.
Conclusion
You have watched from the sidelines for a while and now want to join the show. Drifting is dangerous even when you master it. Try to stick with cars good for drifting to reduce the chances of crashing. You do not want to use a car that gets swept off easily. Our top picks are designed to give beginners a wide range of choices, so whether you’re looking for a standard drift car or something slightly more exciting, there should be something here for everyone.
