Good beginner's drift car?

evopanop · #1 09-30-2003, 12:03 AM

Hey everyone, just wondering what a good beginner's drift car would be. I'm pretty good at canyon runs in my Z3; but, I tried drifting it and, needless to say, now the alignment needs to be fixed.

So, I'd really like to get a cheapo car that I can learn to drift with, and not be so worried about messing it up, as I am with the Z3. So, what's a good car to get? I would just get a 240 and be done with it... but it seems like SO many people in my area have 240's, and I don't really want to be considered just another "bandwagon jumper" or "poser." So, any and all HELP would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, in advance, everyone.

Layla's Keeper · #2 09-30-2003, 12:42 PM

1978 Chevy Chevette Scooter. About 300-500 bucks, torquey four cylinder, four speed manual trans, rear wheel drive, and 49/51 weight distribution.

Also good are 1st gen RX-7's (watch for oil huffers, they're the ones with blown apex seals), Mitsubishi Starions/Chrysler Conquests, Datsun 240, 260, and 280Z's, 3rd gen (1982-1992) Camaros, Fox body (1978-1993) Mustangs, and any number of small British sports cars from the 60's and 70's.

2strokebloke · #3 09-30-2003, 06:01 PM

The chevette is actually an o.k. car (If I weren't busy with the $50 Yugo right now I'd go out and buy one) Though a little "numb" in the handling department.
RX7's (1st gen) are neat cars, and the early 240Zs are nice too (though later ones begin to edge on up to the heavy side of things)

StanBo · #4 10-02-2003, 05:51 PM

I would go with a miata. Plenty of parts and plenty of cars.

Jimster · #5 10-03-2003, 01:21 AM

A bad condition Mazda MX5 for cheap'd fit the bill IMHO

Shiftlock · #6 10-05-2003, 05:49 PM

1st gen Mx-5.Fc's are pretty good as well.Or if your willing to do quite a bit of work,their is the Corolla.

evopanop · #7 10-05-2003, 06:57 PM

Awesome.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it. If anyone else has any suggestions, don't hesitate to make them.

Suislide · #8 10-05-2003, 08:18 PM

i wouldn't go for an FC3S if you're a beginner. the car, or so i've heard from numerous owners, is a very hard car to learn how to drift with.

also, Starions and Conquests are so rare that i doubt you'd find one, and if you DID, i wouldn't drift it because of the rarity...

i haven't heard much about how 1st gen RX-7's (SA22C/FB) are, but they can be had for cheap and seem like a logical choice. there's also the Mk.II MA6X Toyota Supra, which i've heard is a very capable drift car. most can be had for cheap, in fact i know of a few near me for sale for around $1200-1500 Canadian. 240/260/280Z's are great cars if you can find one in proper condition. most of the really nice-ied up ones go for alot. Miata's, if you're willing to spend the more money for one, are great too. but most of the other cars i've named can be had for alot less then an MX-5, which would leave money left over for modification.

hope this helps!

also, check out the "non-aligned drift cars" thread for some other suggestions. mind you not every car in that thread is a good drifter, but there are some good options in there.

happy hunting!

also, i wouldn't toss out the 240SX option just because alot of people have them. they are, without a doubt, one of the best, if not THE best, North American drift option, which is why so many people have them. i personally LOVE 240SX's, and have done so for going on 6 years now, so i was around before the car was even popular. i owned one for all of a day, and i'm still on the hunt for my next one. just because a bunch of people own them and are using them nowadays doesn't mean anything to me. i could care less! i'm buying the car because I like it, and it will make me happy to own one, drift one, and modify one. i could care less how many people have one, i'm buying one because i'm a fanatic and i love the car.

just something to think about.

evopanop · #9 10-05-2003, 08:21 PM

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestions, S13!

Suislide · #10 10-05-2003, 09:14 PM

forgot one that i meant to add to my last post.

Toyota Cressida. stick a 5-er in there from a Mk.II Supra, and you're good to go. RWD 4-door sedan with 5MGE (same engine as Mk.II Supra), sold as the Mark II/Cresta/Chaser in Japan, and they can usually be found for cheap on this side of the "lake".

evopanop · #11 10-05-2003, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the added info, S13. Oh, also, I was wondering... do you know if the MZ/GZ20 Soarer was sold in the US? I was at the Taka Kaira site and happened to notice a Do-Luck aero kit for the 1986.1-1991.5 Soarer, and I haven't been able to find anything about them online as far as them being available in the US. Any ideas? I really like the aero kit, and it's got me fairly interested in the car now. Here's the link to the aero kit: http://www.takakaira.com/asp/templat...QqMnNnikJlhoKj

Suislide · #12 10-05-2003, 10:36 PM

not available in the US. however, there is a company in Alberta, Canada that has successfully imported one and now has it for sale for $8000 Canadian. it's twin turbo and in VERY nice condition. one of the moderators on here, Heep, wants to buy it very badly.

go to www.importconcern.ca and click around until you find it.

evopanop · #13 10-05-2003, 11:19 PM

Hmm... one prob with that, though. I'm in Cali, lol. Would it even be possible, if I did get that from them, to have it shipped to me and somehow get it to be street legal? lol

Suislide · #14 10-06-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evopanop

Hmm... one prob with that, though. I'm in Cali, lol. Would it even be possible, if I did get that from them, to have it shipped to me and somehow get it to be street legal? lol

well, here in Canada we have a rule that if the car is 15 years old or over, then no questions are asked. it can be imported legally and registered and driven on the streets legally, even if it's RHD. no special licenses or forms are needed. that's how the car got here and that's how it's street legal. i'm not too sure about Cali's laws...you'd have to talk to a local representative or something.

because of that law, i'm planning on importing an '89 Nissan Cefiro sometime in the next year or two...

7th_skyline · #15 10-08-2003, 10:10 PM

DO NOT BUY A 240Z TO LEARN TO DRIFT!!!

goes for anyone, WORLDWIDE (Especially Australia where I am!).
This is a rare, classic, historic even, piece of japanese motoring history that is getting rarer by the year and if wannabe drifter posers buy them and wreck them, its a loss.

240sx is your friend! also wondering, Why don't you want to look like a wannabe drifter poser? thats what most "drifters" are.

Starion/conquest or RX7 SA22C are probably the best options though, bit better power : weight, and with the StarQuest you can just up the boost to get the tyres turning.

Old celicas (e.g TA/RA22/23 1970's models) are a good option, twin webers and a good exhaust would open up some power on the T series motor.

A datsun 510 bomb would be good too, just chop the rear springs, put good tyres on the front, maybe add weber carbies and good shocks all round (plus good front springs), and it would drift well. Don't buy a good one and slap it into a curb though. buy a rusty piece of shit with good mechanicals. The 2.0 litre L-series datsun motor from a 720 Truck, with aforementioned carby/exhaust/cam mods would give more than enough grunt, cheaply.

Theres some suggestions.
cheers,
floody

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