Datsun 280zx - Drifter or not?

MassTorque

MassTorque

Member
I'm 18, just getting into drifting and I was wondering if a 1986 datsun 280zx would make a decent drifter. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Not as well catered for as a lot of more popular cars, but tbh anything RWD and Manual with a vaguely decent engine can be made in to a decent drifter quite easy.

It would be easier (and maybe not as interesting) if you started with something everyone uses, like a 240SX, just because parts are everywhere, but yeah, it'd drift.
 
Surely you can pickup a Foxbody Mustang out there for pretty cheap.

There must be a ton of aftermarket parts out in the States for you to choose from???
 
MassTorque said:
I could trade my foxbody convertible for a Mazda RX-8 if that's a decent car.
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Its down to what you want though. Not anyone else. If you havent drifted properly before my advice would be to buy a car that is already tried and tested.

240sx
Miata

However as Stav said, any RWD manual car will do the job. However if you buy a car such as the above to your going to get alot of support online when it comes to drifting. Basically any car you buy, you should really change a few things if you want the car to perform well. So it comes down to money and what you want.

RX8 would be cool but I dont know about aftermarket mods for them, I assume there as good but they arnt that common here for drifting. I dunno about America..
 
The general consensus on RX8's is don't bother unless you're upping the power considerably.

Being in the states I'd suggest a lexus SC300 or the v8 alternative (toyota soarer) as there seem to be a lot out there and reasonably priced too. Miata's and 240's seemed quite rare and quite pricey when I was over there.
I actually saw some fairly cheap AE86's too but I imagine replacement parts will be a ball ache
 
It would be certainly be damn cool! If they were affordable over here I would certainly want one. I think you would be best getting something cheap and more ready to go though. You would also save your self some heartache if you end up smashing it to bits. Maybe with the prices over there that isn't such an issue though. Anyway, good luck with whatever you get! :)
 
If you have a Fox convertible already, presuming it's a 5.0, I'd manual that, chuck a spool in the rear diff or weld it, and use it.

Or just sack it all off for a 240SX for an easy life, as ALL cars barring ones that every fucker uses for drifting will need a bit of thought/knowledge. But even my mum could work out what parts to get for a 240.

DtheBUK said:
The general consensus on RX8's is don't bother unless you're upping the power considerably.

Being in the states I'd suggest a lexus SC300 or the v8 alternative (toyota soarer) as there seem to be a lot out there and reasonably priced too.
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Nothing wrong with an RX8 for drifting as long as you can drive. Same as a MX5/Miata.

SC300/400/whatever, all all automatics, so, err no.
 
What are the prices like for these cars near to you??

There's a huge list of stuff that you can use, but if you're just starting out then you don't wanna be spending thousands on something you will probably end up drifting into a wall in the near future.
 
MassTorque said:
Most are under 6k. I'll be throwing a turbocharger and v8/v10 into whatever I buy
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If your going to do that then there is no point in asking what car is good. You can make anything skid with a v8 and money. Go get something relatively cheap that has plentiful supply of parts and learn in that; then go for something awesome once you can slide round a corner without hitting anything.

or you'll build a car way too good for your abilities and end up shitting your pants every time you go to drive it because it cost serious money and time to build and not something you want to bin first time out.

By all means build the car you want but learn to drift in something you don't care much about. once you start to drift you'll understand what everyone has been saying on here :)
 
Most starter cars here are bought for under $1000, and people have a wicked time in them too.
 
I say 240sx. Extremely good chassis (as it is an s-chassis :D) but I wouldn't say chucking a V8 into it straight away is the best choice. buy a Hicas turbo kit to put on the KA24DE and do the general upgrades ignition, cooling, gut it and some decent rubber. :thumbs:
 
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