Drifting is as popular as ever. If you’re not part of the scene already but want to test your mettle at driving sideways through corners, it’s the perfect time to get started.
While any rear-wheel-drive car can be used for drifting, some are better than others, and certain cars are better suited to experienced drivers than newbies. Wheelbase, steering angle potential, power delivery, cooling, and parts availability all play a bigger role than most newcomers expect.
A beginner-friendly car is predictable, easy to fix, and cheap enough that you won’t panic over every mistake, while higher-power or shorter-wheelbase platforms can get spicy fast. We’ve gathered a list of cars with a proven track record in the drift community, each with its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.
How We Chose These Drift Cars
We focused on rear-wheel-drive vehicles with proven popularity in the drift scene, strong aftermarket support, and accessible performance potential. Some are beginner-friendly, while others require more skill or deeper pockets. Whether building your first drift missile or upgrading to a pro-level setup, there’s something here for you.
Nissan 350Z
Nissan’s 350Z was never the sharpest track weapon, but it’s a drift star in the making. With a 3.5-liter V6 pushing around 300 horsepower, it’s got enough grunt to break traction right out of the box.
Most models came with a sturdy six-speed manual, and a limited-slip differential was typically tied to specific trims or packages rather than being standard across the range. Add in massive aftermarket support, and the 350Z becomes a sideways monster with just a few tweaks.
E36 BMW 3-Series
The E36 3-Series is an old-school favorite with serious drift cred. Prices are creeping up, but budget-friendly examples exist, especially the 325i and 328i. It’s got a near-perfect chassis and plenty of engine options to choose from.
Some drifters ditch the BMW powerplants entirely and swap in a Toyota 2JZ for maximum chaos. If that’s too much, you can always turbo one of the stock six-cylinders and go hunting for smoke.
Lexus IS300
Lexus built the IS300 to battle BMW’s 3-Series, and it brought the heat. Under the hood, the naturally aspirated 2JZ delivers smooth, reliable power to the rear wheels.
It’s not a Formula Drift monster, but it’s perfect for beginners. The chassis is balanced, the parts are plentiful, and it’s comfortable enough to drive on weekdays and drift on weekends.
Mazda Miata
Miata is always the answer, especially if you listen to our resident Miata superfan, Olivia. It may have a short wheelbase that gets twitchy at the limit, but its lightweight, balanced chassis makes it one of the most approachable drift platforms around.
Easy to modify, cheap to fix, and endlessly supported by the aftermarket, the Miata teaches you the fundamentals fast. Just don’t expect massive smoke shows without some power adders. The Miata checks all the right boxes for beginners who want to learn the art of drifting on a budget.
Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is a legend, and prices have skyrocketed over the last few decades. While a new Supra is available, it’s not exactly cheap either. That said, any generation of the Toyota Supra is among the best drift cars for those with deep enough pockets.
We’d go for an Mk4 with a twin-turbocharged 2JZ under the hood, as it delivers 320-hp in stock form. Then again, it’s hard to argue against the Mk5 with its 3.0-liter BMW sourced inline-six using a twin-scroll single turbo, rated at 382 hp in recent model years.
Infiniti G35
The Infiniti G35 is basically a 350Z in a tailored suit, it has the same rear-wheel-drive platform and VQ-series engine, just with a more refined vibe.
If you want a drift car that can double as a comfy commuter or weekend cruiser, the G35 nails it. It still looks great, has solid bones, and the aftermarket catalog is overflowing with everything from mild upgrades to wild widebody kits.
Ford Mustang
You don’t have to build a Hoonicorn to drift a Mustang, though that’d be cool. Classic Mustangs aren’t ideal, but anything from the fifth-gen onward can hold its own in the drift scene.
The V8-powered GT models are the obvious choice thanks to their torque and soundtrack, but even V6 models can shred tires with the right setup. Plus, aftermarket support is second to none.
Nissan S-Chassis (Silvia, 180SX, 240SX)
The S-chassis is drift royalty. Whether you’ve got an S13, S14, or S15, these Silvias are lightweight, well-balanced, and endlessly tunable.
The U.S.-market KA24 engine isn’t great, but that’s okay, it’s practically a rite of passage to swap in something better, like the SR20DET or RB25DET. Go full-send with an RB26DETT if you want a Silvia that hits like a Skyline.
Toyota Corolla AE86
A drift icon if there ever was one, the Toyota AE86 shot to stardom thanks to Initial D, and it’s still beloved by enthusiasts worldwide. With a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine, it’s far from powerful by modern standards, but power isn’t the point.
Its featherweight chassis, razor-sharp balance, and legendary status make it a purist’s dream. Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya still drives one for a reason, and that’s all you really need to know.
Mazda RX-8
Think of the RX-8 as the RX-7’s scrappier little brother. It’s cheap, plentiful, and packs a high-revving Renesis rotary that loves being driven hard, literally. Babying it makes things worse.
Its chassis is fantastic, and there’s plenty of aftermarket support if you want to spice things up. When the rotary eventually gives up (and it will), just throw in an LS V8 and keep shredding.
Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT86 / Scion FR-S
This trio of badge-engineered coupes was built with fun in mind, and they’ve become modern favorites for drifting. Their boxer engine is a 2.0-liter in the first generation and a 2.4-liter in the second generation, and while it isn’t a powerhouse, it’s enough to learn the ropes.
They’re light, well-balanced, and beginner-friendly, the perfect platform to build skill and confidence. Add a turbo, some aero, and you’ve got a drift build that grows with you.
E46 BMW 3-Series
Like the E36 before it, the E46 3-Series is a drift-ready platform with solid bones and great balance, and let’s be real, it’s the better-looking sibling.
M3s are too expensive (and sacred) to thrash on the track, but the 330Ci offers nearly as much performance for a fraction of the price. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to blend BMW style with sideways fun.
Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T
Everyone wants a Skyline GT-R, but for drifting, the R33 GTS-T is the one to get. It skips the GT-R’s all-wheel-drive setup in favor of a simpler, drift-friendly rear-drive layout.
Its turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-six makes around 250 horsepower out of the box, and it takes well to mods. The only catch? Skyline prices have shot up, even for the rear-drive models.
Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor (W202/W203)
Not your typical drift pick, the C230 Kompressor is more of a curiosity than a competition build. In W202 form the C230 Kompressor used a supercharged 2.3-liter inline-four, while many W203 C230 Kompressor models used a supercharged 1.8-liter inline-four, and the car is dirt cheap, but it’s not exactly built for big-angle slides right out of the box.
Still, for budget-conscious drifters who want something offbeat, the C230 offers a sleeper aesthetic and just enough grunt to have fun, especially if you’re down to weld the diff and get creative.
Nissan 370Z
Think of the 370Z as the 350Z’s more athletic sibling, shorter, wider, and packing a bigger punch with a 3.7-liter V6. It’s faster and sharper, but also a bit twitchier, thanks to a shorter wheelbase.
That makes it harder to handle for beginners, and the higher price tag means your budget might be better spent on a built 350Z. Still, in experienced hands, the 370Z is a full-fledged drift weapon.
5th-Gen Chevrolet Camaro
Once mocked for straight-line-only speed, the modern Camaro has come a long way. The fifth-gen version is no corner-carving joke, it handles well, makes big power, and has massive aftermarket support.
It’s heavy, sure, but that V8 grunt makes up for it. Set it up right, and you’ll be sliding like a pro, with bonus points for style and tire smoke.
Honda S2000
The S2000 was Honda’s mic-drop moment: rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and a screaming VTEC engine packed into a perfectly balanced roadster.
It’s more commonly seen on time attack circuits, and for good reason, its short wheelbase and high-strung nature make it tough to drift without serious setup and skill. But if you can tame it, few cars are more rewarding.
Finding one at a decent price, though? That’s the real challenge.
Pontiac Solstice GXP
A bit of a wildcard pick, the Solstice GXP isn’t common in drift paddocks, but it has the bones if you’re looking for something different. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine makes respectable power, and the rear-drive layout gives it solid fundamentals.
It’s not as forgiving or well-supported as a Miata, but with some finesse (and a welded diff), it can absolutely get sideways. Unique? Definitely. Easy? Not quite.
Nissan 300ZX
The 300ZX was Nissan’s tech-packed flagship in the ’90s, which is exactly why it’s often overlooked by drifters. But that just means prices stay reasonable, and the potential is huge.
Its chassis is solid, and the 3.0-liter V6 came in naturally aspirated or twin-turbo form, with the twin-turbo VG30DETT being the tuning favorite. Sure, it’s on the heavier side, but shed some weight, and you’ve got a sleeper drift weapon that won’t blend in at the track.
It also happens to be one of our manager Mike’s top picks, mostly because you can pop off the T-tops. Drift car? Weekend cruiser? Why not both?
Chevrolet Corvette (C5/C6)
The Corvette might scream “track day” more than “drift missile,” but don’t be fooled. The C5 and C6 Vettes are LS-powered, rear-drive monsters with supercar-shaming potential, and they love to get sideways.
In stock form, they’ve got all the power you need. Add a turbo or two and a suspension refresh, and you’ve got a tire-melting, V8-powered slide machine that’ll hang with the best of them.
When in Doubt, Drift It Out
Whether building your first beater or upgrading to a pro-level slide machine, drifting is all about feel, finesse, and fun. The right car won’t make you a great drifter overnight, but it will make learning a lot more exciting (and a lot more sideways).
From budget-friendly heroes like the Miata and IS300 to legends like the Supra and Skyline, this list proves there’s no single recipe for the perfect drift car. Pick your platform, find your line, and don’t be afraid to send it.
Because in the drifting world, style points matter just as much as speed.