7 Best JDM Drift Cars That Dominate the Drift Scene

Drifting was first mastered ages ago on the mountain roads of Japan, and few understand the art of the discipline better than a car enthusiast. The sound of tyres screeching, sleek cars imitating the perpendicular rotation of a touch, as well as, the unique smell of burning rubber are all characteristics of drifting. Some of the finest cars ever made have come from the Japanese Domestic Market. These cars are unique in the sense that they are built not only with precision and power, but evoke a sense of raw balance as well.

Choosing the right car to drift with can be a hard task. Supported, powerful, and easily customisable, the 7 best JDM drift cars are the complete and perfect answer. These cars come fully loaded with what a driver needs to create eliminator and design needed in style. This article will shed light on seven of the most famous and respected JDM cars from drift events and competitions all across the globe.

The Foundation Of a Great Drift Car

What Makes a Car Great for Drifting

A rear wheel drive layout is a must for any drift car. The ability to spin the back wheels and break traction is critical for any drift initiation.

A vehicle could clutch kick much easier and more efficiently with a manual gearbox. The driver has better overall control and the vehicle is meshed closer to the driver’s intent.

Both rear wheels must spin at about the same speed for a controlled and consistent slide. This is controlled via the wheels differential.

The lighter the car and the better the engine capability, the easier the car can be handled and pulled into a drift. This core essence proves a gentle yet determined touch is needed to fully manoeuvre the vehicle into a drift.

A drift car is heavily influenced by the count of performance parts, body kits, and even a tuner. This count is considered a drift car's aftermarket support.

Now, let's get into the legends.

Nissan Silvia

The Nissan Silvia in all of its generations usually is the first thing that pops into someone's mind. The S13, S14, and the S15 each held the reputation for being the official drift car ever since they came out. The Silvia is strategically built with a lightweight chassis, and near perfect 50/50 weight distribution and the immensely powerful turbocharged SR20DET engine, a Silvia is for sure one of the best in the world.

The Silvia's enormous support from aftermarket parts manufacturers is why you can customise a Silvia to pretty much any skill level or budget. You can have a simple Silvia with coilovers and LSD or a fully built competition car. Anything is possible. It is not surprising that Silvia is always one of the first cars to come to mind when podiums are celebrated. It is considered one of the best JDM drift cars of all time.

Nissan 350Z (Z33)

After the strong 300ZX, Nissan 350Z tuned up the JDM sports car market with a modern spin. Thanks to the naturally aspirated VQ35DE V6 engine, the 350Z gained enough torque from the factory. This torque allows for much easier drift initiation without the need for aggressive clutch kicks.

The chassis is a bit stiffer and well balanced which allows for more predictable and stable drift movement. The 350Z is a bit heavier than the Silvia, but the low price and high reliability is why the 350Z is popular amongst professional and amateur drift racers. This legacy is carried on by the 370Z, proving the Z chassis remains a strong contender.

Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

The Mazda RX-7 FD is a visionary masterpiece in both design and engineering. Thanks to its lightweight and low centre of gravity, the FD’s unique 13B-REW twin turbo rotary engine allows the slice and dice of incredibly sharp and responsive corners with the utmost precision and balance.

Thanks to the rotary engine’s seamless throttle response and nature of revving, controlled and extended drifts can be performed almost effortlessly. The RX7 is one of the most sought-after JDMs for drifting due to its unique driving dynamics and feel, which is why rotary engine specialists rave about its unrivalled performance. To better understand the history of this monumental speed demon, visit Mazda’s heritage page.

Toyota Chaser/Mark II/Cresta (JZX90/JZX100)

The JZX series might seem incredibly out of place when it comes to drifting “big-body saloons” but in reality these four-door vehicles are true sleeper heroes. With the legendary 1JZ-GTE or 2JZ-GTE engines, these warm bred inline sixes provide an unmatched balance of power, reliability, and tuning potential.

Amazingly, despite the size of the JZX chassis, they still manage to be very nimble. With a few modifications, these saloons become incredible drift machines that have the balance of comfort and competition-level performance. They’re proof that you don’t have to have a small coupe to conquer the drift scene.

Toyota AE86 Corolla

• The car that started it all. The AE86, now dubbed the Hachiroku, has really become a legend over the years thanks to the "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya as well as the anime title Initial D. The car itself is extremely simplistic, lightweight, and has a great balance of the two. Modern standards aside, the 4A-GE engine is still considered quite underwhelming; however, the AE86's magic is definitely within the chassis.

Drifting an AE86 is like no other. The amount of momentum and car control is incredible, and you really learn the ins and outs of drifting. You can't use power and strength, but you have to be very tactical and subtle with your inputs, which is an excellent way to grasp the fundamentals. For a lot of people, it still stands as one of the best JDM drift cars due to the experience it offers.

Nissan 240SX (S13/S14)

Even though it is the North American version of the Silvia, the Nissan 240SX is more than worthy of its own spotlight. Without a turbo, the 240SX was put in for tuners, blank canvases to individuate the 240SX. The most renowned change is a more powerful engine such as the sister Japanese model, SR20DET, or even a V8 engine from America.

With its low price, and having the same chassis as the Silvia, the 240SX was the favoured choice for aspiring drifters in the United States. Even though ‘drift tax’ has exacerbated the price, the 240SX is still an extremely popular and capable choice.

Toyota Supra (JZA80)

Drag racing is an activity the Mk4 Toyota is often associated with due to its role in films and its 2JZ-GTE engine, powerful and capable of withstanding an immense amount of horsepower. However, the Supra JZA80 is also a great drift car as its long wheelbase provides stability during drifts, allowing the 2JZ to create enough torque to burn the rear tyres with ease.

A highly configured Supra is on the heavier side and more expensive when compared to the cars on this list, but still manages to intimidate the competition. Its legendary posture and remarkable prowess makes the Supra one of the highest performers in Best JDM drift Cars . If you would like to enter the professional drifting world where cars like this dominate, head to the Formula DRIFT website.

Conclusion

An assortment of JDM vehicles is readily available and tailored for the drifting art. These vehicles range from the classic lightweight cars, AE86 and Silvia, to much heavier and more powerful saloons like the robust Toyota Chaser, and the culture of each vehicle is more than just metal and wheels - it is the embodiment of art, a driving passion, creativity, and the constant need to gain control over a vehicle on the road. Builders, whether you are constructing a championship-winning machine or a more simplified and reliable starter car, the Best JDM drift cars provide the best drift car for you