I'm wondering if the AE86 was more popular than the other models for any reason other than it is used in a popular series and that a popular driver uses one.

Also, are there any other old inexpensive rear-wheel drive cars that come to mind? I have a Saturn SL, and I love the thing.. I just wish it was rear-wheel drive. Thanks, -Stu.

The reason why the AE86 sprinter is soooo popular for the series is because its rear wheel drive with Limited Slip diferential, the jdm version also has a more powerful engine than us, figures.... this makes it very good drift car because of the weight, suspension, and the size of the car. I plan on buying one eventualy when im done working on my current corolla.

There are other good RWD drift cars from the 80's. The Nissan 200SX (S12 Silvia) and Mazda RX-7 (FC3S, 2nd gen.) come to mind.

The reason why the AE86 sprinter is soooo popular for the series is because its rear wheel drive with Limited Slip diferential, the jdm version also has a more powerful engine than us, figures.... this makes it very good drift car because of the weight, suspension, and the size of the car. I plan on buying one eventualy when im done working on my current corolla.

Okay, but people usually upgrade all of that anyhow! So, why not any other old RWD car if you're replacing the engine, suspension, etc..

it's a very responsive car as well

oh yea its dirt cheap!

the AE86 is a great car. But there are people that take to far and think they are the shit when driving them. All of the sudden they are draging everyone they get pass by. My point is that the 86 is a great drift car and should stay that way. If you have money swap in a 20v. The 86 is best at drift, not at any stupid drags.

I'm wondering if the AE86 was more popular than the other models for any reason other than it is used in a popular series and that a popular driver uses one.

Also, are there any other old inexpensive rear-wheel drive cars that come to mind? I have a Saturn SL, and I love the thing.. I just wish it was rear-wheel drive. Thanks, -Stu.


its cool because of that damn anime series called initial d.

anyone have inital d stage 1234? i want them so bad.

try E-bay

Yes, exactly. Go to ebay for all of initial D. Do not buy the Tokyopop English dubbed versions because they totally ruin the quality and authenticity of Initial D. Plus, it sounds better in Japanese and it gets your mind working when you read the subtitles!

Anyways, to answer the question: Initial D. That's pretty much why it's so popular. Ever since it came out, the car is so hard to find now because it is the number one drift car to use.

you people for got. it has perfect 50/50 balance, and thats a lot of money if your want to make any car like that,
also, did the american delivered sprinters come LSD, that bull, aus delivered, is the same as a ae85, no lsd and a shitty 4ac motor

I will definitely build a superdrifting AE86 after I finish with my Integra. I want to build a carbon copy of the one in Initial D.

you what i want to make now, ive totaly gotten over my ae86 phase ( especially looking at how much they cost for just a corolla) I would love to make a drifting datsun 2--z car. They are cheap, although they have a wierd center of gravity, but I think they are totaly driftable.

Umm... I guess you can say that they are "Driftable", but I think that they'd drift... INTO A WALL. I personally wouldnt take chances due to the weird center of gravity.

it's not 50/50 weight distribution, it's closer than your average car but it's not 50/50.

what do you mean by carbon copy?

Umm... I guess you can say that they are "Driftable", but I think that they'd drift... INTO A WALL. I personally wouldnt take chances due to the weird center of gravity.

Although, I don't think that it would be all to dificult to make the center of gravity right, granted the ass weighs nothing. I think with the right suspension that it would be driftable. It did run rally along time ago, drifing gets its roots from rally.

anything can be taken sideways. It's easier on RWD cars and as far as weight goes, weight is transfered whenever you drive. You step on the gas, the weight goes to the back. Step on the brake, weight goes up forward. Take a right or left and the weight of the car goes to the opposite direction. When a car is closer to 50/50 weight distribution, it's easier to get feedback, it's not distorted by extra weight on the front or the rear. everything can be driven sideways, I've seen golf carts drift. Some are just easier than others. There's my 2 cents

I dont agree with that. front wheel drive cars cant drift, they can skid side ways but where a rear wheel drive (even a 4 wd car) would put the power on and keep the tail out a front wheel drive car will put the power on and striaghten its self up, even with the wheel hard over.
About the distribution of weight, If a cars front heavy itll want to plow through the corner (under steer/Push) and if it was tail heavy itll spin out easier as there is an increased pendulum motion acting on the car.

Carbon Copy meaning

The exact same AE86 car in the Initial D game which is actually a real car.
White with Volk Racing rims over Toyo TS-1's, TRD suspension and Toda internals.

Why is it so popular? Two words: Initial D. It's a fun car to drift around in, but it isn't a serious performance car, not by any stretch of the imagination. People who drive it like they are Takumi Fujiwara and think they can beat everything on the road are really asking for it.

Why is it so popular? Two words: Initial D. It's a fun car to drift around in, but it isn't a serious performance car, not by any stretch of the imagination. People who drive it like they are Takumi Fujiwara and think they can beat everything on the road are really asking for it.


Yea pretty much established that point already, but it has awsome wieght distribushion. Your better off getting a 240sx hatch for the price. And later drop a sr20det.

other cheap RWD cars?(ae86's arent really cheap anymore..)
1st gen rx7's
merkur xr4ti
3rd gen f-body
foxbody mustang
s12 200sx
e30 bmw's
MKII celicasupra
startion/conquest
mazda miata
early c4 vette(I've seen them under 5k a few times. good bang for your buck in the fun factor!)

other cheap RWD cars?(ae86's arent really cheap anymore..)
1st gen rx7's
merkur xr4ti
3rd gen f-body
foxbody mustang
s12 200sx
e30 bmw's
MKII celicasupra
startion/conquest
mazda miata
early c4 vette(I've seen them under 5k a few times. good bang for your buck in the fun factor!)


Hmmm... The main part is yes it needs to be RWD, the other factor is the power to weight to weight differntial. The vete and mustand, i dont think would do so well in a drift competition as it has alot to do with control. The vete is hella powerfull but too front heavy to be ne good. Thats the big reason why the drift king used the ae86. There is one that people dont think too much the toyota cresidia... think about that one.

vettes are nearly equally ballenced cars. not front heavy. 52/48 i believe.
We have seen a guy in an El'Camino be competetive so I dont see why a mustang or vette couldnt do the same.
Then again, vettes, even the cheap ones are expencive to repair body wise. If your on the cheap i would go the vette route. I was mearly mentioning RWD cars that would be good performance cars. Not drifting.