I'm new to drifting myself and I noticed on every forum there was some noob like me asking this question. While I am an American I've looked world wide at pricing options and most of these cars are within 1,000 US Dollars of each country. I have researched these cars to stupid ends to finally decided on the two models that I am specifically looking for. Some are better than others, but this is a DRIFTING site. Don't expect to get the best car. In fact, buy the cheapest model possible and swap the engine and or transmission. Almost every car listed is going to be cheap, rear wheel drive, with plenty of after market while being easy to wrench on even for a noob.
Without further to do, here are the cars:
The Nissan 240sx/200sx/Silvia:
These cars are a Japanese standard. They have thousands of them for sale all the time. Very common car, and it has 10 years and two different chassis that are pretty similar.
The S13 is from 1989-1994. Great mid engine car, fairly cheap. Extremely common amongst starter to mid level drifters and even used in the pro ranks.
The S14 was made from 1995-2000 (1998 for USA). Just like the S13 but a little more expensive because it's newer. Common amongst all levels of drifting and fairly easy to find.
BMW e30 and e36:
With the e30 being a classic car it's a strong suggestion to pick this up. It's a great value today as long as it isn't the M3. Just buy a cheaper rig and put the M3 engine in from a car that's been totaled/wrecked. There is usually enough room for small engines, but once you put a bigger block within this vehicle you will have a tight fit and things might take slightly longer to fix. The biggest problems on these is the head-gaskets. They aren't too difficult to fix yourself but be prepared to fix them.
As the same as the car above, the e36 is at a good value. The major differences when working on them is this car is the beginning of BMW's electronics. You may have to re-program the car if you mess with the electrics. That's the high end of the learning curve of this car. The low end on this car which is quite nice, is everything is bolted on and can be replaced by anyone. These cars have some water pump issues and need to be checked. They also have electronics issues in the trunk wiring. So make sure the wires are not worn and touching or the car will stop using its headlights, dash lights or whatever it touching.
Toyota Supra Mark III/A70:
1986-1993 are the most common models of this car. Great standard car, a lot like the Nissan's with aftermarket parts. Fairly common overall and good value in todays market. "All of these engines had severe problems with blown head gaskets. Toyota never issued a recall for any of the affected vehicles. The problem could be easily fixed by replacing the head gasket and torquing the head bolts to 75 lb·ft (102 N·m) of torque. However, owing to the lack of a recall or appropriate service bulletin, the head gasket problem would recur in another 75,000 miles or so if the gasket was replaced and the bolts were retorqued to the erroneous service manual specifications of 56 lb·ft (76 N·m). With the head bolts torqued correctly, the engines were otherwise extremely durable." - Wikipedia
Mazda Miata MX-5:
These little cars are time attack machines. The first generation was made in 1990(1989 USA)-1999. Very low, very light, and very quick. While the other cars on this list are fantastic in their own right, it's my personal belief that these cars are some of the absolute best when alone. These cars might be the easiest to work on. There have been average guys who have swapped engines in 5-6 hours. That's absolutely insane and easy to do. The downside to these cars is that you must buy a hard top for it and also a roll cage (As with all other cars for serious drivers). All of them are naturally convertibles and that makes driving them much more dangerous of it flips.
Toyota MR2/W20:
I love the look of this car. The most common models you will find will be from 1989-1999. These cars look sporty, and aren't as a common as others. There are no turbo models in the European Market, but you can purchase a turbo for it. The downside to this car is that if you take a turn incorrectly, you can cause what's known as "Lift-oversteer" where you will lose traction.
Cars that aren't mentioned AE86, Merdedes-Benz 190e:
These two cars are just incredibly hard to find in decent condition. The AE86 are usually abused by the time they are sold to you and not worth the restore to the daily driver. These things are gold if you find them, but my lord they are difficult to find.
The 190e is the e30's contemporary. Amazing car, but like the AE86 hard to find in good condition. Most of them have acceleration issues and that can be a plethora of things to look into. The Mercedes doesn't have the aftermarket support that the BMW's do. If you find one and are willing to work a little harder for the car, great pick up.
Without further to do, here are the cars:
The Nissan 240sx/200sx/Silvia:
These cars are a Japanese standard. They have thousands of them for sale all the time. Very common car, and it has 10 years and two different chassis that are pretty similar.
The S13 is from 1989-1994. Great mid engine car, fairly cheap. Extremely common amongst starter to mid level drifters and even used in the pro ranks.
The S14 was made from 1995-2000 (1998 for USA). Just like the S13 but a little more expensive because it's newer. Common amongst all levels of drifting and fairly easy to find.
BMW e30 and e36:
With the e30 being a classic car it's a strong suggestion to pick this up. It's a great value today as long as it isn't the M3. Just buy a cheaper rig and put the M3 engine in from a car that's been totaled/wrecked. There is usually enough room for small engines, but once you put a bigger block within this vehicle you will have a tight fit and things might take slightly longer to fix. The biggest problems on these is the head-gaskets. They aren't too difficult to fix yourself but be prepared to fix them.
As the same as the car above, the e36 is at a good value. The major differences when working on them is this car is the beginning of BMW's electronics. You may have to re-program the car if you mess with the electrics. That's the high end of the learning curve of this car. The low end on this car which is quite nice, is everything is bolted on and can be replaced by anyone. These cars have some water pump issues and need to be checked. They also have electronics issues in the trunk wiring. So make sure the wires are not worn and touching or the car will stop using its headlights, dash lights or whatever it touching.
Toyota Supra Mark III/A70:
1986-1993 are the most common models of this car. Great standard car, a lot like the Nissan's with aftermarket parts. Fairly common overall and good value in todays market. "All of these engines had severe problems with blown head gaskets. Toyota never issued a recall for any of the affected vehicles. The problem could be easily fixed by replacing the head gasket and torquing the head bolts to 75 lb·ft (102 N·m) of torque. However, owing to the lack of a recall or appropriate service bulletin, the head gasket problem would recur in another 75,000 miles or so if the gasket was replaced and the bolts were retorqued to the erroneous service manual specifications of 56 lb·ft (76 N·m). With the head bolts torqued correctly, the engines were otherwise extremely durable." - Wikipedia
Mazda Miata MX-5:
These little cars are time attack machines. The first generation was made in 1990(1989 USA)-1999. Very low, very light, and very quick. While the other cars on this list are fantastic in their own right, it's my personal belief that these cars are some of the absolute best when alone. These cars might be the easiest to work on. There have been average guys who have swapped engines in 5-6 hours. That's absolutely insane and easy to do. The downside to these cars is that you must buy a hard top for it and also a roll cage (As with all other cars for serious drivers). All of them are naturally convertibles and that makes driving them much more dangerous of it flips.
Toyota MR2/W20:
I love the look of this car. The most common models you will find will be from 1989-1999. These cars look sporty, and aren't as a common as others. There are no turbo models in the European Market, but you can purchase a turbo for it. The downside to this car is that if you take a turn incorrectly, you can cause what's known as "Lift-oversteer" where you will lose traction.
Cars that aren't mentioned AE86, Merdedes-Benz 190e:
These two cars are just incredibly hard to find in decent condition. The AE86 are usually abused by the time they are sold to you and not worth the restore to the daily driver. These things are gold if you find them, but my lord they are difficult to find.
The 190e is the e30's contemporary. Amazing car, but like the AE86 hard to find in good condition. Most of them have acceleration issues and that can be a plethora of things to look into. The Mercedes doesn't have the aftermarket support that the BMW's do. If you find one and are willing to work a little harder for the car, great pick up.
