What is the cheapest car to start drifting in Argentina?

The rear-wheel-drive BMW E36 is the best balance of price and result: around USD 10,000 and the most common car on track. There are cheaper options (an old RWD local car like a Corolla KE70), but there the cheap part is the car, not the project: it needs a differential, tyres, suspension and a lot of shop time, and usually ends up costing more than an E36.

How much does building a drift car cost on top of the car?

The car is usually half the story or less. Add a locked differential (welded or an LSD), tyres (a rear set is USD 200-300 and you can burn one or two per session), brakes and suspension worked to the limit, competition safety if you run seriously (roll cage, bucket seat, harness), transport to the track, and maintenance on something you will break while learning. It never stops: tyres go every time you drive.

Is the BMW E36 a good option to start?

It is the best entry option in Argentina, which is why it is the car we use. Rear-wheel drive, a petrol engine with plenty of torque to break the axle loose, accessible parts and a chassis that forgives beginner mistakes better than older or more expensive cars.

Can I drift with an old Corolla or a cheap car?

Yes, you can drift with almost any rear-wheel-drive car, and many start with a cheap old local one. But "cheap" is the price of the car, not the project: you will have to add a differential, tyres, suspension and shop time. To just try it and learn at the school you need none of that — you drive our already-prepped E36.

Should I build my own car or take classes first?

Classes first, no question. Building your car makes sense once you already know drifting is for you and want your own toy. As an entry point it is a false economy: you spend thousands of dollars and months before knowing if you like it. For USD 300 and an afternoon you find out in a car you would not mind breaking.

Is street drifting legal?

No. In Argentina drifting on public roads is illegal and the consequences are real. Drifting is only legal on a closed track or circuit. So whatever car you have, you will need an authorized place to use it — which is why our classes run on a closed track in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

2026-07-051 min readUpdated: 2026-08-08

What Car to Buy for Drifting in Argentina (and the Real Cost)

By Dmitrii McCarthy

What car should you buy to drift in Argentina?

The most accessible and most common platform to start drifting in Argentina is the rear-wheel-drive BMW E36 — around USD 10,000 today, and by far the most common car you see on track. Above it sit the Nissan Silvia (roughly USD 15,000-20,000) and, in the dream tier, the 350Z and Toyota GT86, which start near USD 50,000. Many people begin even lower, with a cheap old RWD local car (a Corolla KE70 and the like). But the car is only the entry ticket: the build, the tyres and what you break learning cost extra — and usually add up to more than the car itself. Before falling into that pit, the cheapest move is to find out whether drifting is actually for you in an already-prepped E36 328i: 30 minutes, USD 300, instructor beside you.

This article is available in full in Spanish. Read the Spanish version, see why the BMW E36 is ideal for drift, or message us on WhatsApp +54 9 11 6833-3342.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest car to start drifting in Argentina?: The rear-wheel-drive BMW E36 is the best balance of price and result: around USD 10,000 and the most common car on track. There are cheaper options (an old RWD local car like a Corolla KE70), but there the cheap part is the car, not the project: it needs a differential, tyres, suspension and a lot of shop time, and usually ends up costing more than an E36.
How much does building a drift car cost on top of the car?: The car is usually half the story or less. Add a locked differential (welded or an LSD), tyres (a rear set is USD 200-300 and you can burn one or two per session), brakes and suspension worked to the limit, competition safety if you run seriously (roll cage, bucket seat, harness), transport to the track, and maintenance on something you will break while learning. It never stops: tyres go every time you drive.
Is the BMW E36 a good option to start?: It is the best entry option in Argentina, which is why it is the car we use. Rear-wheel drive, a petrol engine with plenty of torque to break the axle loose, accessible parts and a chassis that forgives beginner mistakes better than older or more expensive cars.
Can I drift with an old Corolla or a cheap car?: Yes, you can drift with almost any rear-wheel-drive car, and many start with a cheap old local one. But "cheap" is the price of the car, not the project: you will have to add a differential, tyres, suspension and shop time. To just try it and learn at the school you need none of that — you drive our already-prepped E36.
Should I build my own car or take classes first?: Classes first, no question. Building your car makes sense once you already know drifting is for you and want your own toy. As an entry point it is a false economy: you spend thousands of dollars and months before knowing if you like it. For USD 300 and an afternoon you find out in a car you would not mind breaking.
Is street drifting legal?: No. In Argentina drifting on public roads is illegal and the consequences are real. Drifting is only legal on a closed track or circuit. So whatever car you have, you will need an authorized place to use it — which is why our classes run on a closed track in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

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1-on-1 instructor in a BMW E36 RWD, closed track, from $300 USD. No experience needed — we sort everything out on WhatsApp.

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