Drifting is potentially the most rapidly growing motorsport out there. Who doesn’t love the thrill of doing a few donuts in a parking lot somewhere? If you’re looking to take your sideways driving to the next level, get out to events, and learn to drift for real, here are five excellent starter car options that don’t surpass $10,000.
Nissan 350Z
Nissan 350Z Roadster Drift Car | David Allio/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images
Thanks to its already sporty-driving optimized engineering, the Nissan 350Z is a perfect start for drifting. Couple that with the virtually endless supply of aftermarket parts catered specifically to drifting the 350Z, you can’t go wrong here. Whether you’re looking to add more steering angle, a hydraulic handbrake, or a relatively inexpensive coilover suspension, the 350Z has virtually endless options available.
Furthermore, the 350z is a great starting point because of its light weight combined with substantial power output. With between 287 and 306 horsepower depending on the model year, the 350Z offers more than enough power to learn and grow with.
Though prices on virtually all sports cars are on the rise, the 350Z still falls into a relatively affordable range. When shopping for a relatively nice example, buyers can expect to be in the $10,000 range. However, there is no shortage of less-than-perfect examples for well under that price point that serves as the perfect starting point for drifting. After all, accidents do happen. You don’t want to start with a nice car!
Infiniti G35
Nothing was held back at #FDERIE! What was your favorite moment?@cashracing16 #FormulaD #FormulaDRIFT pic.twitter.com/wd1dQtsE3h
— Formula Drift (@FormulaDrift) July 12, 2021
While most people wouldn’t think to turn to a luxury brand to start drifting, there’s a fantastic reason they should. The Infiniti G35 is effectively the same car as a Nissan 350Z. The chassis is very similar, and virtually all of the crucial parts for drifting cross over. So, any aftermarket upgrades available for the 350Z will also fit on a G35 without doing too much modification, if any.
The similarities cross over under the hood, too, as the G35 and 350Z share the same engine and transmission offerings. So, any engine performance parts from a 350Z also fit a G35.
The G35, in general, is a fair bit cheaper than a 350Z of similar condition. Furthermore, the G35 is available in sedan form with a manual transmission. Who doesn’t want to go drifting in a big four-door sedan?
Ford Mustang
I almost ended up putting the Fox Body Mustang through my living room drifting my driveway when I went full hot rod, but I managed to save it!! #NittoTires #CrushQuarantine pic.twitter.com/txj24dbfpY
— Vaughn Gittin Jr. (@VaughnGittinJr) May 15, 2020
While most first think of drag racing when it comes to an affordable Ford Mustang, they actually do quite well in drifting with some modifications. Simple upgrades like a welded differential or a limited-slip differential, coillover suspension, and a bit of added steering angle make the Mustang an excellent choice for drifting.
Furthermore, having the low-end torque band of a V8 engine makes keeping the tires spinning and getting them moving once they’ve stopped a breeze. Though older Mustangs may not make as much power as a 350Z, they’re more than enough to drift with. Furthermore, there are a nearly endless number of manual Ford Mustangs available for less than $10,000.
BMW 3 Series
BMW M3 Drift Car | Dmitry Feoktistov/TASS via Getty Images
The BMW 3 Series lineup from the 90s to early 2000s offers a well-balanced chassis known for its quality handling, a torquey inline six-cylinder engine, and a stout and trustworthy manual transmission. Like the 350Z, they are very prominent in the drifting community, and there’s a sea of aftermarket parts available.
Most importantly, though, the BMW 3 Series is perhaps the most affordable chassis to start drifting anymore. Lower-end models like the 325i can often be found under $5,000.
Nissan 240SX
240SX drifting | Jack Milton/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images
The Nissan 240SX is a staple of the drifting world for a good reason. If you asked any professional Formula Drift driver what car they started with, the vast majority of them would tell you that it was a Nissan 240SX (or Silvia, which is the same car).
Though they aren’t as affordable as they once were, there is no doubt the Nissan 240SX is one of the most prominent cars in drifting and likely has the largest supply of aftermarket parts to support the hobby. Furthermore, though the four-cylinder engine they come with offers a minuscule amount of power, there are kits to swap just about any engine one could imagine into a Nissan 240SX.
Don’t shop for a nice car when shopping for drifting
Ultimately, any of the above vehicles make a fantastic starting point for those who aspire to get into drifting. However, it’s worth reiterating that starting drifters should not be looking for a nice example. In fact, quite frankly, you’ll want to do the opposite.
Look for a running and driving example of one of the above cars. So long as it is in good running condition and free from any major mechanical issues, go with it regardless of cosmetics. There is a very high chance you’ll cause some damage during the learning curve of drifting, so there’s no reason to be worried about how it looks initially.
Keyword: Drifting in Your Dreams? Here Are 5 Affordable Cars to Get Into Drifting