1. BMW E36 3-Series

bmw drift — BMW E36 1990-1999 Specs

6 Speed Manual Transmission
5 Speed Manual Transmission
I6 2.0-3.2L engines
RWD
Front Engine
Coupe / Sedan / Convertible
2,899–3,075 lbs
110hp to 240hp range

When it comes down to choosing your “war machine” the choices seem to narrow down with the available funds. Whether it’s your lifetime savings or your wife keeping an eye on the checking account. Also rarely anyone wants to spend a whole chunk of cash on an expensive car and begin learning to drift on it. There are options out there that are affordable and won’t end up destroying your financial life. The BMW E36 chassis is a perfect solution to not break the bank. It is a German masterpiece, an overbuilt factory motor to withstand any type of driving. You can find one for cheap at around $1,500-$3,000, some get lucky and get one for under 500 bucs.

This car is not on the younger side, so you definitely have to check out certain things before paying for it. Spend a good time looking around the car, get underneath it and look for rust. Check out the inside of the trunk and the condition of the strut towers. Time is not on this car’s side, with the drift community buying these up and raising the prices. Definitely consider picking one before they rust away or get expensive.

2. Nissan 350z

350z drift — **Nissan 350z 2000-2006 Specs**

5 Speed Manual Transmission
6 Speed Manual Transmission
V6 3.5 VQ35DE Engine
RWD
Front Engine
Coupe
3,100 - 3,600 lbs curb weight
280hp

The Nissan 350z became the new 240’s, their prices are upto the point when you can call this car affordable, and it is a perfect platform to be able to learn to drift on it. 350z provides enough power with it’s V6 3.5L engine. Grassroots drivers usualy keep the engine stock, as it doesn’t need anything except for engine oil. Upgrade it with a proper suspesion, and this thing is ready to go. Not one of the most reliable choices out there, but just like for every car, if properly maintaned this car can be a total beast. I honestly call this car an easy mode car, the platform is just designed to be a fun car.

The price for this car varies from $3,000 to $7,000 in a stock condition. Just like with every car purchase, make sure to inspect the car throughout, rust is the biggest enemy for any car, as it’s ability to flex become lesser, and stuff begin to break.

The aftermarket parts for these cars are commonly available and setting this platform to be a proper drift machine, is not a difficult task.

3. Lexus IS 300

lexus is300 drift — **Lexus IS300 2000-2005 Specs**

5 Speed Manual Transmission
I6 3.0 2JZGE Engine
RWD
Front Engine
Sedan
3,200 - 3,400 lbs curb weight
200hp

Who doesn’t love japanese cars. I sure do. The Lexus IS300 is a pretty common platform for drifting, you see them pretty much at every drift event. These cars are great for sliding, but do need some preparation. As stock these cars are made to be luxury and sport, so they are a bit heavier, and drive softer than a bmw. When you’re drifting, you want your car to have as less body movement as possible during the transitions, it creates poor weight distribution and just makes uncomfortable driving. The Lexus has a body roll that would create this uncomfortable driving. After getting some suspension parts installed, and making sure the car is stiffened up and starts to feel more like a go cart, then this car can be a beast on the track. With the 2JZGE engine, the car has a perfect amount of horsepower and torque to start learning the basics of drifting.

Lexus IS300 prices are very weird, since it’s a wanted car for drifting, for shows, and for time attack, it is wanted in all parts of motorsports. They are still not expensive, you can find one for around $4,000 to $7,000 based on condition. Sometimes can get lucky and find an automatic transmission one for $1,000 and do the manual transmission conversion.

4. Mazda Miata

**Mazda Miata MX-5 1989-1997 Specs**

5 Speed Manual Transmission
I4 1.6 - 1.8L Engine
RWD
Front Engine
Coupe Convertible
2,200 lbs curb weight
98-114hp

Mazda Miata MX-5, this car is definitely fun. In 13ft in body length, this thing is tiny. Due to it’s short wheelbase, it is not an easy car to drift, but once you get a hang of it, it just looks awesome. Also not everyone’s body proportion can fit into this vehicle, If you’re 6 feet tall, you’ll have to have your roof down, or you’ll be rubbing your head on the headliner, and if you’re taller than 6 feet, your forehead might function as a windshield. Nevertheless, this car is perfect for the beginner driver, and the amount of accessible parts for this platform is enough to build a competitive vehicle. The 14 inch wheels allow you to buy tires at a cheaper price, and are much more available at the tire shops.

The Miata is a tiny sleeping beast, with some upgrades, a turbo kit, this thing wakes up to becoming a drift beast machine. Once you get a chance to visit your local track, pay attention to these cars, they look amusing and quiet agile. The price for the Miata could be $50 to $5,000, you just have to get lucky. These are definitely not young cars, so make sure to do your inspection prior to getting one, the rust, the wiring and interior is bound to deteriorate by this time, unless garage kept.

5. Ford Mustang Fox Body

**Ford Mustang Fox Body 1983-1986**

5 Speed Manual Transmission
V8 5.0L
RWD
Front Engine
Coupe / Hatchback / Convertible
2,700 lbs curb weight
200hp

The legendary Ford Mustang Fox body, everyone loves this thing. It is one of those american muscle cars that if you put in some work, this platform turns out beastly on the track, it does everything, burnouts, shreds tires, enough power in the v8 5.0 to perform better than average drift cars. The engine does need some work, some come with a carburetor, and a carburetor is not drift friendly due to the car going side to side , and gravity just messes with the fuel intake, starves the engine from fuel. You might consider upgrading it with a fuel injection system.

Yes, it will need work, it’s not one of those 90’s cars where you slap some coilovers on, and it’s good to go. Some people like to put themselves upto a challenge and complete a project like this, when it’s ready, it rips like no other.

Price varies from getting it for free from your father / grandfather to about $5,000 in great condition. Parts are accessible from auto zone or major American car parts stores, such as JEGS.

6. Lexus LS400

lexus ls400 drift — Lexus LS400 1990-1994

4 Speed Automatic Transmission
V8 1UZ-FE Engine
RWD
Front Engine
Luxury Sedan
3,700 lbs curb weight
250bhp

Okay, hear me out. I know you probably think reading this , “Man, why do I want to drive a boat?” This platform is awesome in it’s own ways, yes it’s a bit more complicated since it only comes in automatic, but I’ve seen drivers who would just leave it in 2nd gear, weld the rear differential, and it’s ready to be on track. It comes with an infamous 1UZ V8 motor, very common V8 swap in Japan, and European countries, these motors can handle alot of power, racing teams get these motors upto 1,000hp with a turbo. Not everyone are so lucky to have access to the American V8 LS motors.

You would want to do some gutting in this car If you’re dedicating it to motorsports, you want to get rid of the unnecessary super heavy electric seats, replace them with a light racing seat. The more weight you can get rid of it, the better it will be begin to “sail”.

Prices vary for these platforms from $500 to $3,000. They are very common cars and pretty easy to find. If you like a nice spacios party car to bring some friends aboard, this is the one.

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