Top Dirt Cheap Drift Cars To Learn In
So you fancy yourself as a bit of Ken Block do ya? Found yourself nearing 30 and never learnt to drift have ya? Well lucky for you as I sit here writing this I found myself thinking the same thing...
So while doing the research for my first drift car I figured I could save you guys the time and put together a small list of DIRT CHEAP starter drift cars...
Just don't be expecting shiny examples for under a thousand but that's the beauty needs a bit of welding MOT failures are our best friends here.
LEXUS IS200
Alright listen…
The early 2000s Lexus IS200 is low key one of the best “I’ve got no money but I want to send it” drift starters in the UK.
You can still pick rough but running ones up for under a grand if you hunt properly. High miles, bit crusty, maybe a questionable MOT history… perfect. You don’t need a show car. You need something you’re not scared to clutch kick.
The rear wheel drive manual ones are easy to find, and they actually love to slide once you sort the diff. The 2.0 straight-six isn’t a monster, but that’s kind of the point. It forces you to learn momentum, weight transfer and proper technique instead of just mashing throttle and hoping for smoke and lets be honest inline 6s sound awesome along the way.
And the best bit? It’s not a TikTok hype car. It’s that “yeah, fair play” platform. Everyone knows what they are, everyone’s seen them get abused sideways, and they just keep going.
Is it fast? Not really.
Will it teach you how to actually drive? Absolutely.
Will it look sick on lock in a scrap yard at sunset? Every time.For under a grand, it’s basically the gateway drug to sideways life.
Next Up
BMW E46 3 Series
Can this be our FIRST ever mention of a BMW on the Hikari Project Platform??
Yes it is okay we know when to give credit where its due and this car take some beating when it comes to the value for what you get... Of course there are multiple different options you can choose!
You’ll sometimes spot a high-mileage E36 325/323/328i or E46 3-Series around or just under £1k.
They’re balanced, predictable and forgiving. You can throw them into a corner, clutch kick it, and they’ll actually talk back to you instead of trying to kill you. Weld the diff, chuck some coilovers on, and you’re sideways on a budget.
Cheap, tough, and properly capable.
Honestly, if you can’t drift a 3 Series, it’s not the car’s fault.
Finally
Mercedes W124
What's going on with all these German cars??? are they better drifters than jdm? no... of course not that's why there cheaper... the jdm drift market is through the roof and honestly unless your made of money you don't want to be putting one into the wall...
The Mercedes W124 is actually a seriously solid base for someone new to drifting.
It’s rear wheel drive, stable, and very predictable. That’s the key part. For beginners, you don’t want something snappy or nervous. The W124 is heavy and planted, which makes it easier to understand weight transfer and throttle control without the car trying to bite you.
They’re cheap to buy, often under £2k, and because they’re not a “hype” drift car, you’re not paying drift tax. Most people overlook them, which works in your favour.
The chassis is strong, the engines are durable, and they handle abuse better than most cars in the price range. Weld the diff, sort the suspension, and you’ve got a proper learner platform that lets you focus on technique instead of fighting the car.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ?!
Author JM