Best Drift Cars: 10 Classic and Modern Picks
The best drift cars are light, rear-wheel-drive cars with a limited-slip differential, a manual gearbox and plenty of cheap parts. Classic favourites are the Nissan Silvia / 240SX, Toyota AE86, Mazda RX-7 and BMW 3 Series (E36/E46); good modern picks are the Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ, Nissan 350Z/370Z and, for beginners, the Mazda MX-5.
1. What makes a good drift car
- Rear-wheel drive. The rear wheels push the car, so the throttle can swing the back out and hold it there.
- A limited-slip differential (LSD). It keeps both rear wheels driving, so the slide is steady instead of one wheel just spinning.
- Balance. Weight spread close to 50:50 front to rear makes slides predictable.
- A manual gearbox for the clutch kick and control of the revs.
- Cheap, plentiful parts. Drifting eats tyres, clutches and bumpers.
2. The 10 best drift cars
Popular drift cars, old and new. Prices and availability vary a lot by country.
| Car | Why drifters love it |
|---|---|
| Nissan Silvia (S13, S14, S15) / 180SX / 240SX | The classic: balanced, light, huge parts supply; a pro-series favourite for decades |
| Toyota AE86 (Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno) | Tiny and light; the car that made the Drift King famous |
| Mazda RX-7 (FC, FD) | Near 50:50 balance and a rev-happy rotary engine |
| BMW 3 Series (E36, E46) | Cheap, plentiful and well balanced: a grassroots favourite |
| Nissan 350Z / 370Z | Strong V6, many with an LSD, easy to find |
| Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ (and GT86) | Modern, light rear-wheel-drive coupé built for balance |
| Mazda MX-5 (Miata) | Light and forgiving; low power makes it a great way to learn |
| Ford Mustang (V8) | Lots of torque for big, smoky slides; common in US pro drifting |
| Toyota Supra (A80, GR Supra) | Huge power potential; a pro favourite |
| Toyota Chaser / Mark II (JZX) and Lexus IS300 | Four-door sedans with tough straight-six engines |
3. Best drift cars for beginners
For a first drift car, choose something cheap, simple and not too powerful, so mistakes are slow and cheap to fix:
- Mazda MX-5: light and easy to catch; you learn smooth throttle control.
- BMW 3 Series (E36/E46): affordable, roomy and forgiving.
- Nissan 350Z: more power once you're ready, still easy to control.
- Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ: a newer, reliable choice if the budget allows.
Spend money on tyres, a seat and track days before big power. A drift school teaches more in a day than months of guessing.
4. Cars that don't drift well
Front-wheel-drive cars can't hold a drift: the front wheels pull the car straight. Most all-wheel-drive cars resist it too, because the front wheels keep pulling; some can slide in rally style, but pro drift cars are rear-wheel drive. Heavy cars with long wheelbases can drift, but they need much more power.
5. The cars in Drift Racing
In GameLake's Drift Racing you pick your car in the Garage before each race, in one of eight paints. Each body drives differently:
The three bodies in Drift Racing and where each shines.
| Car | Strength | Try it on |
|---|---|---|
| GT coupé | All-rounder: good speed, acceleration and grip | Any circuit; the best way to start |
| Hatchback | Best grip and acceleration, lowest top speed | Tight bends, Frost Pass's ice |
| Muscle car | Highest top speed, least grip, heaviest | Long straights; big drifts if you can hold them |
New to drifting? Read how to drift and what drifting is, then play Drift Racing free on your phone or computer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best drift car for beginners?
A Mazda MX-5 or a BMW 3 Series (E36/E46): cheap, light or well balanced, and forgiving. A Nissan 350Z or Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ is a good step up.
What is the cheapest drift car?
It depends on where you live, but older BMW 3 Series (E36/E46), Mazda MX-5s and early Nissan 350Zs are usually among the most affordable rear-wheel-drive cars to start with.
What makes a car good for drifting?
Rear-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential, balanced weight, a manual gearbox and cheap parts.
Can you drift a front-wheel-drive car?
Only briefly with the handbrake. A front-wheel-drive car can't hold a drift on the throttle, because the driven front wheels pull it straight.
What car did the Drift King drive?
Keiichi Tsuchiya, the Drift King, is best known for the Toyota AE86 (Corolla Levin / Sprinter Trueno).
Which car is best in Drift Racing?
The GT coupé is the all-rounder. The hatchback has the most grip, which helps on tight bends and ice; the muscle car has the highest top speed for long straights.