- Drifting is, by far, one of the most popular
and fastest growing forms of motor sport, today.
Being fun to watch, fun to try, fun to fail at,
and fun to succeed at all at the same time.
Gaining it's rise in pop culture
through movies like the "Fast And The Furious"
and video games such as "Need For Speed"
and "Forza Motorsport", we get asked, daily,
"What's the best car to start drifting in?"
What's goin' on, everybody?
I'm Sean for Fitment Industries
and today, we're gonna discuss just that.
But before we dive into trying to answer
this very controversial question,
please consider subscribing, if you haven't already,
and, as always,
Wheels, Tires, Suspension,
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So, what's the best car to start drifting in?
First, we need to discuss the basic features that we need
in order to get started.
The foremost desirable drift car features are
rear-wheel drive, manual transmission,
a light-weight chassis, and arguably the most important,
cost-effective aftermarket support.
You will be giving these cars
the biggest bully beat-down they've ever seen.
And you will smash it into stuff.
And send it off track into rough terrain.
Things are gonna break
and you're gonna want to modify the vehicle
to make it more capable and more reliable as time goes on.
With that being said, these are the top five cars
to start drifting in.
Number one, the E36 BMW 328.
The 328 is BMW's top trim 3-series under the M3.
Boasting a whopping 190 hp.
But where the 328 actually shines
is how it's torque curve is setup.
The 2.8 liter inline 6 has a strong, flat torque curve.
The torque comes on low, mustering 181 pound feet
by 2000 rpm, peaking at 207 pound feet at 3950 rpm
and sustaining an ample supply of thrust through 6000 rpm.
Couple that with a curb weight in the 31 to 3300 pound range
and a manual transmission and you've got a recipe for skids.
These cars have tons and tons and tons
of aftermarket support, as well.
In fact, you can get
a full drift-spec chassis and suspension setup
for very reasonable money on one website.
It's too easy.
Number two on this list
has to has to go to the Nissan 350Z.
Now, I wanted to keep this list away from the typical path
of popular drift cars,
but 350Z's are so, so , so cheap and plentiful,
I had to put it on this list.
With nearly 300 hp, 275 foot pounds of torque
and a curb weight of 3200 pounds, the 350Z is, basically,
manufactured with slidey boys in mind.
It was arguably one of the most popular cars of its time.
The Nissan 350Z made "Car and Driver's" 10 best list,
"Edmunds.com" editor's most wanted,
"Road and Travel's" international car of the year,
"Automobile Journalist Association of Canada's"
Canadian car of the year
and best new design. (beeping sound)
"Motorweek's" best
performance car, (beep sound)
"Road & Track's" (beep sound)
best car under $30,000.
And "Automobile Magazines" (beep sound)
car of the year.
And that was just 2003. (beep sound)
The 350Z went on to win tons more awards
throughout production and made the cover
of "Need For Speed Underground 2"
"Forza Motorsport 2"
And "the fast and furious Tokyo drift."
That's a lot of praise for car you can now snack for $5,000.
And with that kind of popularity
comes aftermarket support to meet any budget.
You can turn a 350Z into a track and drift monster
for just a few thousand dollars.
And granted you won't be making
any big power without forced induction.
These drive trains can take
a massive beating without hesitation.
Don't sleep on a 350Z just because it's typical.
There's a reason they're used throughout motor sport.
And it's the perfect option for getting started.
Number three comes in with the SN95 Mustang.
Now I know what you're thinking
because every time I suggest an SN95, y'all clap back with.
(roaring sound)
Why would you suggest any Mustang that's not a fox body?
Well, don't get me wrong,
Fox body Mustangs are great and all,
but as the Mustang's third generation transitions
into a new classic, the SN95 is quickly becoming
the project car generation of Mustang.
And there are some very noteworthy advantages
to the SN95 Mustang over the Fox platform.
Mustangs transitioned into the fourth generation
provided the chassis with a wider track
with longer control arms, factory four wheel disc brakes,
and five log hubs, which opens up a lot of wheel options.
And with that came the additional
Ford's modular 4.6 liter V8 in 1996.
Now the two valve 4.6 liter
isn't known for being very powerful.
In fact, the 350Z out-horsepowers the Mustang
through its entire 10 year fourth generation lifespan.
But what makes these drive trains great for motor sport
is their robust engineering,
300 foot pounds of torque running
through a 3,200 pound chassis
with unrivaled aftermarket support.
But the SN95 platform is updated over the Fox body.
Its configuration is largely the same.
Making parts extremely cheap and very universal.
Coilovers for these cars are listed
as fitting 1979 to 2004 Mustangs.
Drift ready angle kits, 1979-04.
Dual caliper bracket, 1979-04.
Where it may sound like a bad thing.
These universal parts like this
bring price down dramatically.
And that's what makes a solid rear axle pony car,
a contender for this list.
Reliable, cheap and easy to find in manual.
Before we get into number four,
go ahead and grab yourself a Busch Light
and some white new balances because we're gonna
be talking about the Chevrolet Corvette.
Yeah, that's right haters.
The C5 generation Corvette more specifically.
The C5 Corvette introduced to the LS1 into the world in 1996
as a 1997 model year boasting 345 hp
and 350 foot pounds of late 90s earth shattering torque.
With a low slung 3,200 pound chassis
with a perfect 50 50 weight distribution.
This car was a monster when it came out.
Nearly 25 years later,
it's previously advanced engineering and styling
has dated the car leaving tens and thousands
of massively depreciated sports cars for dead.
And what do you get when you have tens of thousands
of depreciated sports cars?
A large demand for aftermarket support.
Mass produced steering angle kits can be had
for reasonable money as well as various
other suspension and chassis components.
The C5 Corvettes factory power level
is more than enough to slide the car around.
And with an over-engineered drive train
these cars can take back to back a beat down
and remain unstressed, reliable,
and still get 30 miles a gallon on the way home.
making a clap C5 Corvette,
a great first choice for drifting.
I saved this car for last because
it's very near and dear to my heart.
It's also one of the most overlooked cars in the community.
Because of the reputation for being one of the safest
and most boring cars in the world.
But during the late 80s and early 90s,
this manufacturer produced a turbocharged 2.3 liter,
rear-wheel drive manual transmission station wagon
that would go on to market itself
as the family man's sports car alternative.
Calling out brains like Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini,
Ferrari, and even Camaro.
I'm of course talking about the Volvo 740 Turbo Estate.
Now these cars weren't particularly powerful.
In fact, you might even laugh when I tell you
they produced only 160 hp and 194 pounds of torque
from their single overhead cam 2.3 liter four cylinder.
But hear me out Volvo 740 Turbo
is a better untaxed, 240SX alternative.
These Volvo's weigh in starting around 2,900 pounds.
Boast all wheel disc brakes,
railroad drive a manual transmission.
It makes up for the extra hundred pounds or so
with a factory turbocharged engine.
Unlike the little baby KA24DE,
you could add a quick 75 hp
with a couple of minor bolt-ons
in the turn of a boost controller.
The Volvo 740 Turbo could do everything
the U Aspek 240 SX did and do it better.
More power, stronger drive train, easier modification,
better build quality and better drifting.
Aftermarket support for chassis mods also rivals
that of the S13 platform.
And of course the Volvo isn't drift taxed.
Volvo one, S13 big old zero, fight me in the comments.
And now that I've roasted your Jimmy's
it's time for me to get outta here.
Let me know in the comments,
what you think I missed
and what you think we should cover next.
If you need wheels, tires or suspension,
come see the experts at https://www.fitmentindustries.com
Don't forget to subscribe.
I'm Sean from Fitment Industries, peace.
(upbeat music)