Drifting is a global motorsport that has its roots in Japanese driving culture. This is why many of the best drift cars are from Japan, helped along by the popularity of computer driving games from the XBox generation, such as Forza Horizon or GTA. Yet there’s much more to drifting than a rear-wheel drive sports car with lots of horsepower. Skill is needed to balance the car at angles that often seem impossible.
With drifting being the complete polar opposite to drag racing,top speed is less important to drifters than executing the perfect slide around corners. There are plenty of great cars out there for beginners to try drifting on private tracks and at events, and others for more experienced drivers to use in competition. Even if you don’t fancy having a go, the stunts are amazing to watch. Here’s our guide to the best drift cars on the used car market.
Best Cars for Drifting 2024
- Mazda MX-5 (1989-2005)
- BMW M3 F80 (2014-2018)
- Nissan 200SX (1993-1998)
- Toyota GT86 (2012-2021)
- Ford Mustang (2014-2024)
- Nissan 350Z (2003-2010)
- Ford Focus RS (2015-2018)
- Nissan Skyline (1993-1998)
- Lexus IS200 (1998-2005)
- Mazda RX-7 (1992-2002)
Mazda MX-5 (1989-2005)
The Mazda MX-5 - also known as the Eunos or Miata in Japan and the US, respectively - is a great place to start learning how to drift. It’s rear-wheel drive (RWD), so it’s easy to get the back end of the car to step out of line, and it has just enough power to keep the slide going around corners. The manual transmission gives the driver lots of control, while a limited-slip differential that stops power being wasted is fitted to most MX-5s.
Common upgrades for the Mazda include adding a turbocharger for more power. There are also easy suspension mods to make the MX-5 more suited to the sport and turn it into a really good drift build for not a lot of money.
Mazda MX-5 Mk1 Review
Mazda MX-5 Mk2 Review
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BMW M3 F80 (2014-2018)
BMW’s M3 is ideally suited to the world of drifting, because it has a potent twin-turbo engine developing plenty of power to drive to the rear wheels. There are also plenty of M3s to choose from, whatever age or version you prefer and can afford, although the the F80 generation is our pick. A lot of BMW fans will start out with a more basic 3-Series and work up to an M3, which needs very few modifications to be a great drift car.
The BMW’s powerful engine is one of the M3’s strengths. It sounds great, delivers its power smoothly, and it can take on the best from Japan, such as the Nissan Silvia or the Toyota Supra.
BMW M3 (F80) Review
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Nissan 200SX (1993-1998)
There are several generations and versions of Nissan’s 200SX, as well as the import-only/US-market 240SX, and all are perfect for drifting. This makes the handsome coupe one of the most popular cars for those starting out in the sport. It has great balance and the reasonably long wheelbase makes it easier to control at the limit than some of its rivals, such as the Toyota Corolla AE86.
Another bonus for anyone choosing the Nissan 200SX as their drift car is the turbocharged engine, which is easy to tune. There are lots of parts available to improve the car, so it can keep pace as you up your drifting skills.
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Toyota GT86 (2012-2021)
The spiritual successor to the famous Toyota AE86, the GT86 was designed to be fun to drive from the beginning. Its simple rear-drive layout and slender tyres allow it to move around in a very controllable way. The 2.0-litre engine is not as powerful as some, but it’s more than up to the task, and the manual gearbox is slick.
Like the Mazda MX-5, the Toyota GT86 has established strong connections to the drift scene and is rightly regarded as one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy the sport as a beginner. Alternatively, the Subaru BRZ is all but identical mechanically if you can find one of those for a good price.
Toyota GT86 Review
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Ford Mustang (2014-2024)
It’s not all Japanese sports cars in the world of drifting, as the Ford Mustang muscle car from the US proves. Its no-nonsense recipe of a big, powerful V8 engine driving the rear wheels makes it ideal for drifting. The laid-back power delivery in standard tune also makes it easy for learners to get to grips with sideways driving.
The Mustang has become a mainstay of Formula Drift in the US, which is a dedicated motorsport series that judges drivers on their skill, balance, and how close they get to their rival as they slide around the course.
Ford Mustang Review
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Nissan 350Z (2003-2010)
If you were to dream up the ideal affordable drift car, the Nissan 350Z – or the newer 370Z – would be it. A compact coupe shape with a punchy V6 engine driving the back wheels is perfect for this sport. Little wonder the Nissans are among the most popular and successful drift cars.
As well as sounding great, the Z’s V6 engine is really easy to modify. It’s rugged and reliable, too, which makes it an ideal starting point for budding drifters.
Nissan 350Z Review
Nissan 370Z Review
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Ford Focus RS (2015-2018)
An all-wheel drive (AWD) super hatch is not the obvious choice for anyone wanting to give drifting a go. However, Ford sneakily fitted the RS with a Drift mode that sends more power to the rear. It also uses clever technology to balance power between the back wheels and the fronts, so the car can slide in a predictable manner.
When Drift mode is selected in the Focus RS, it becomes one of the easiest and most controllable cars to slide. The powerful turbocharged 2.3-litre engine has more than enough urge to make it fun, yet the RS still remains a brilliant hot hatch and a practical family car.
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Nissan Skyline (1993-1998)
For many car enthusiasts, the Nissan Skyline is JDM royalty (JDM standing for Japanese Domestic Market cars), and the ultimate drifter’s car, placing it at the very centre of the sport for a long time. The most prized versions of the Japanese supercar are the rear-wheel drive models, because they're much easier to drift than the sophisticated all-wheel drive versions, such as the GT-R. Drift fans also love the Skyline for its hugely tuneable six-cylinder turbocharged engine, which also happens to sound fantastic.
Whichever Nissan Skyline you settle on, they are all great to drive and they hold their value exceptionally well.
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Lexus IS200 (1998-2005)
The understated Lexus IS200 might not have topped the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes C-Class in the company car park, but it does have a keen following in the drift world. Its compact size helps when sliding around a track, and the six-cylinder engine is tough and sounds great.
Affordability makes the IS200 a good starting point for beginners, and it’s much easier to find one than some of the more desirable drift machines, such as the Toyota Chaser.
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Mazda RX-7 (1992-2002)
There is one key element of the Mazda RX-7 that sets it apart from other drift cars – its rotary engine. This unusual design generates lots of power and has a shrill sound unlike anything else, which also makes it popular for engine swaps into other cars for drifting – such as the MX-5.
The RX-7’s fine handling lends itself to drifting and there’s a wealth of knowledge and aftermarket support around to turn this attractive coupe into a serious racer. The only downside is that the rotary engine needs a lot more care and maintenance than a more mainstream motor.
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