Drifting has evolved from underground street culture to a worldwide motorsport with professional competitions, grassroots events, and dedicated car builds. But one question remains for every new and experienced driver: what are the best drifting cars to build in 2025? This guide covers platforms that dominate the scene, why they’re effective, and how to choose the right chassis for your goals.
What Makes a Car Good for Drifting?
Not every car is ideal for drifting. The best platforms share a few key features:
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Essential for controlled oversteer and drift initiation.
- Aftermarket Support: A wide range of coilovers, angle kits, and suspension upgrades make cars easier to tune for drift.
- Balanced Chassis: Good weight distribution helps maintain control mid-drift.
- Affordable Parts: Cars with cheap replacement parts are ideal since drifting naturally increases wear and tear.
Nissan 240SX: The Icon of Drifting
The Nissan 240SX (S13 and S14 chassis) remains one of the most popular drift cars worldwide. Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and highly modifiable, the 240SX is an engineering legend. With swap options like the SR20, RB25, or LS V8, the 240SX adapts to nearly any budget or power requirement. Its simple suspension design also makes it easy to tune for maximum angle.
Nissan 350Z and 370Z: Modern Drift Legends
The Nissan 350Z and 370Z have become the backbone of modern drifting. Affordable, reliable, and packing plenty of power out of the box, they are beginner-friendly yet competitive at high levels. Their long wheelbase provides stability, while coilover upgrades and angle kits unlock their true drift potential. Many Formula Drift drivers have even competed in Z chassis builds.
BMW E36 and E46: European Drift Machines
BMW has cemented itself as a top drift brand thanks to the E36 and E46. These cars offer perfect balance, excellent steering feel, and strong aftermarket support. With SLR angle kits and drift coilovers, they quickly transform into competition-ready machines. Their 50/50 weight distribution makes them forgiving for beginners while allowing pro drivers to push extreme entry angles.
Ford Mustang: American Muscle for Drift
The Ford Mustang brings American V8 torque to the drift scene. Models like the SN95, New Edge, and S197 are increasingly popular, offering cheap horsepower and huge aftermarket support. With the right coilovers, control arms, and angle mods, Mustangs deliver both style and performance. Their raw power makes them perfect for high-speed tracks and competitive tandem drifting.
Toyota Supra: From Street to Drift King
The Toyota Supra—whether it’s the A80 MKIV legend or the newer A90—has carved a place in drift history. With powerful engines, strong chassis, and a loyal following, Supras are sought after for high-level builds. They’re more expensive than Nissans or BMWs, but in terms of show-stopping drift performance, they remain unmatched.
Mazda RX-7: Rotary Power Meets Drifting
The Mazda RX-7 offers lightweight handling and unique rotary power delivery. FC and FD chassis are still competitive today, with extreme angle setups and rotary swaps making them both stylish and effective. Their rarity and maintenance requirements make them less common at grassroots levels, but they remain some of the most iconic drift machines in the world.
Beginner-Friendly Drift Cars
For those just starting out, cost and reliability matter as much as performance. Some of the best beginner drift cars include:
- Nissan 350Z: Affordable, reliable, and already powerful stock.
- BMW E36: Balanced chassis, cheap replacement parts, and strong aftermarket.
- Ford Mustang SN95: Budget-friendly with plenty of V8 power.
Pro-Level Drift Cars
If your goal is competition, the top pro-level cars today are:
- Nissan 370Z with angle kit + coilovers
- Toyota Supra A90
- Ford Mustang RTR spec builds
- BMW E46 drift spec
Drift Car Engineering: Why Grip Matters
One misconception is that drift cars are built to be “slippery.” In reality, modern drift setups focus on grip. Drift coilovers, sticky tires, and advanced suspension geometry make cars faster and more competitive. As the sport evolves, setups are becoming closer to time-attack or grip racing cars, but optimized for sustained oversteer. The faster you can drift with control, the higher your chances of winning in competition.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Drift Car
The best drifting cars of 2025 combine affordability, reliability, and tunability. Whether you’re building a budget-friendly E36 or a pro-level Supra, the right suspension and steering upgrades will define your success. At SLRspeed, we specialize in drift coilovers, angle kits, and control arms engineered to take these legendary platforms to the next level.
If you’re serious about learning drifting or building a competition car, start by selecting a proven chassis and then focus on coilovers, steering angle, and grip. The legends—240SX, Z chassis, BMWs, Mustangs, Supras, and RX-7s—continue to dominate for a reason.
