Want To Drift? Don't buy an S chassis or a Miata.

Oh boy, what a way to start. First off, I’d like to say that I’m about to get slammed with Swedish and Norwegian Car Throttle readers. I can already hear them: “We already know this!” Fantastic, the problem is that most others do not.

Let’s start by first going over what makes a good drift car. Obviously, it’s going to need to be rear wheel drive. Manual transmissions are a plus, along with a good weight distribution and a solid engine platform. While the S chassis and Miata DO fulfill those categories (for the most part), they miss out on the last one. Price.

So what’s left? What rear wheel drive, balanced, beefy engine, manual transmission car can you get cheap? Volvos.

When I say cheap, I mean CHEAP. It’s not an uncommon site to see turbocharged 700 and 900 series volvos sell for under $1,000. If you’re willing to go a bit higher into the price range, you can get yourself the cream of the crop. Just as an example, I purchased a 1986 Volvo 740 turbo with a manual transmission and a Borg Warner GM-3 turbocharger from a Chevy Detroit Diesel 6.5 liter engine on it for four hundred dollars. FOUR HUNDRED. I have since installed a megasquirt standalone management system, RC 440cc Fuel Injectors, and a 263 lph Walbro pump in the tank. All said and done I am in this car less than $1,500, and it is PLENTY of fun.

Let’s talk about a few things.

Firstly, I know that people are going to have a problem with the way Volvos look. I will be the first to admit that they do not look as nice as an S13 or S14…that being said, I do not think they look 𝑏𝑎𝑑 (I may be a bit biased).

Second, I know people are going to bring the handling argument to the table. They are right to do so, as a factory Volvo does not come with ideal suspension for going around corners, but then, drifting isn’t exactly going around a corner in an ideal way, is it? That being said, there are plenty of aftermarket sway bars and suspension for these chassis that can make a monumental difference in their handling.

Finally, I want to address just how unstoppable the Volvo redblock engine is. These engines can take an unbelievable beating and they just will not give up. Throw boost at them, drain the oil, put pennies in the head, fill it with water…they just do not care. They’re built to last, and they certainly do.

To sum it all up, Volvos are a super cheap, super easy to work on, well balanced RWD chassis that can come from the factory with a turbo on them. If that doesn’t sound like a good drift car to you, I don’t know what will. If you’re still not convinced, check out these Car Throttle videos: