Hey driftworks, my name is Cammy, from Scotland and I'm 16 turning 17 in a week. To cut it short(er), I've solidly followed drifting for probably around 2 years now after first becoming interested when I was around 9 After looking around the forum and on google etc, I still have a few specific but major questions as to drifting for me. OBVIOUSLY I want to get in to drifting as soon as possible so if you guys could help me out a little it would make my day. Being very serious about starting drifting at the earliest age possible, anything opinions saying to wait until you're say 19 or so will not even be considered so sorry for my ignorance! The car. I've looked around at other threads and the FAQ for a first car suitable as a drift car (also daily driver). Unfortunately all the threads except one were posted by 20+ year olds looking to get in to drifting and even though some of the cars suggested would be cheap to be insured for them, it wouldn't suit me as a 17 year old. I did find one dated thread of a 17 year old asking as what car he should use for a first drift car and the main suggestions were a Volvo 340 1.7 or Volvo 360, Ford Sierra and Mazda MX5. I honestly don't care about looks because all I want is a solid starter car to learn drifting, and the short wheelbase just comes as a bonus for a learner Preferably, I'd want an MX5 as they aren't rare but I wasn't sure if they would be insurable for me so I had been looking at 340s which seem to be getting rarer So the question is what car should I go for? Or is there another mystery RWD gem out there? And what would be a rough estimate of the car itself and the insurance along with it? (I also have a fairly solid budget(for now) which I am willing to dump all into the car in general) Insurance and mods. The first thing I'd be looking to do, mod-wise, would be welding the differential. I've always wondered though, how do young teens get away with mods on their car... or do they just not tell the insurer? Sure most of their mods are completely visual but if their mods impact the insurance, how would welding a diff impact mine? Or is the best way to go about it by keeping it on the shady? Also comes the question of the MOT. I've always struggled a little understanding insurance with regards to modifications so any help on the topic would be great! Open spaces and car parks. Now obviously drifting in open empty public car parks at night isn't legal but is that what most of you did to start out? I was thinking it would be better to try and find an open space next to an industrial building at late hours and start out there. The plan would be to get minimal seat time drifting in open spaces to not be a COMPLETE noob then taking it to the track eventually on a track day at the newly opened Driftland which I've spectated with a couple mates once. If, by chance I did get caught by the police in an illegal area, what would be the consequences? I'd imagine if they did knock on my window, I'd try to act innocent by saying that we made sure nobody was around to get hurt and I was practicing advanced driving maneuvers or something Tires. There seems to be 2 sides to tires. One- taking half-worn tires from a garage that's throwing them out and two- buying new sets. I'm personally leaning towards the half-worn method, budget-wise but I'm not sure how to go about it. Do I just go up to a garage and ask if they are giving away shitty tires or do I go up at night and try find some lying around the back? Tools. With drifting comes a fair amount of mods so I'm gonna need some starter tools for changing tires and wheels. Should I buy a 2nd set of rims and mount a set of tires on to them and maybe ask my buddy if he can carry them in his boot if we go out one night? Therefore, by the chance that my rears do wear out, I can do a quick change on the rears, good enough to get home. So the question is what sort of tools will I need for the job of changing wheels, tires and anything else I'll need to change at the beginning of my career To wrap things up, I'd just like to apologise for any ignorance, overwhelming beginnerness or especially, any questions that have been answered before. I'm really just trying to get more specific answers to my many many questions as I'm eager to start. My drifting experience so far has been using a simulation wheel set up along with a new simulation racing game called Assetto Corsa, so it isn't much but it's something. I'd just like to say thanks very much in advance for answering ANY questions at all and I hope to see you on the track some day
Fair play for actually being honest about being a 17 year old and not trying to tell us you drive a Veyron and did a 765mph drift in 17th gear the other day That said, nearly all of what you are asking has been covered before - your first car depends entirely on insurance costs, modifications need to be declared really so are going to cost more, learning is much better done on proper days than doing streeto ....... and if you get caught doing streeto you'll almost certainly have your license taken, EVERYONE uses part worns to start with and youre best asking for them and tools are tools at the end of the day, generally whatever you actually need is the tool you dont have Best bet is to wait until youre 21, spend the rest of your teens shagging birds and drinking ...... but if youre deadly serious then Id trawl through the search on here and see what you can find out. Good luck
Cheers for the quick response! Ill keep it all in mind and I didn't mean actual road drifting I would never do that
Just to help out a little. The most reliable and easily driftable car i've ever owned was a pre-modified BMW E36 325. Welded diff, ebay coilovers and steering rack spacers. Should be able to get one with tax and mot for around £800.
An old Volvo would be easiest to insure for u I presume , one is/was for sale on her 500 I think with a few trick bits ,never owned one myself though
These old beauties lol http://www.driftworks.com/forum/dri...vo-340-great-condition-500-mot-till-july.html
I think I'll be sticking to a 340 then unless anyone can say that I can be insured on an older mx5 cheers
insurance is all a case of how much you want to pay, not sure how much it is these days for your ages but I had a stock s14 at 17, made it stage 1, put r33 gtr wheels on and coilovers.. and I had the most fun in that than anything really.. all it needed was a welded diff.. but the vlsd was ok fun
Depending on where you live is also to note, some areas you'd comfortable get insured on a 316/318 E36 compact which is a great base. Volvos are rare but cheaper to insure and mx5s are probably around the same as E36s for insurance at a guess. As ive started too recently I'd also advise get yourself on a track. Beginner tracks will help you a great deal just so you advance your experience of car control. Basic tools you will need are: Chock (1-2), jack/axle stands (keeping one side up on wood is definitely legit!), Ratchet and of course duct tape, zip ties and wd40 in case anything else gets stiff/falls off.
I suggested an MX5 to my lil bro when he passed at 17, cheapest quote he got was 5k Call insurance brokers and get quotes.
Mx5 was the same insurance as a 318is coupe or 325tds estate for me. 2 seat convertible rwd are 3 things that line insurers pockets.
Only an insurance company can answer that ......... but Id expect it will cost a shitload more than any sane person would ever consider paying. As I said back up there, Id get a couple of years NCB under your belt and then see what you can get rather than crippling yourself with insurance.
I'll be calling up some insurers to see if they laugh at me or not for suggesting an E36 in that case Did a quick online quote and the lowest I got for a 1.7 340 was £1300/year but I'm sure that won't be 100% accurate.. just a rough estimate i hope - - - Updated - - - I also live in a fairly quiet area but I guess the only way to find the answer is to ask
Scotland = cheap as fuck insurance (Aberdeen anyway... posh cunt town) Get an MX5 as they are plentiful, cheap and great fun all round. You'll probably struggle to get parts for an old ass Volvo and TBH having something that's reliable and has good aftermarket support is more valuable when you are just starting out IMO Good luck man
