So, you're wondering if the Subaru BRZ is a good choice for drifting? Well, let's dive right into it. The BRZ has carved out a niche for itself as an affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car that's lightweight and offers a decent platform for modification. For those of you who are new to the car scene, drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing a loss of traction in the rear wheels, while maintaining control and navigating the car through a corner. It's a beautiful blend of car control, finesse, and a little bit of craziness. Now, when it comes to drifting, not all cars are created equal. Some cars are naturally better suited for it than others, thanks to their design, weight distribution, and available power. The Subaru BRZ, with its rear-wheel-drive setup, is already a step ahead of many front-wheel-drive cars out there. The joy of drifting often boils down to how well you can control the car when it's sliding sideways, and the BRZ's balanced chassis plays a significant role in this. It's not just about raw horsepower; it's about how the car communicates with you, the driver, and how easily you can manipulate its behavior. The BRZ is known for its communicative steering and predictable handling, making it easier to learn the ropes of drifting without feeling like you're wrestling a wild animal. Plus, its relatively low weight helps with quicker transitions and overall agility, which are crucial for linking drifts together smoothly. However, it's not all sunshine and roses. The BRZ has its limitations, especially when it comes to power. Out of the box, it's not exactly a powerhouse, and many drifters find themselves wanting more grunt to keep the rear wheels spinning effortlessly. This is where modifications come into play, and the BRZ has a huge aftermarket support, with tons of options to boost its performance. From turbo kits to superchargers, the possibilities are endless, but that also means extra investment. So, is the Subaru BRZ a good drift car? The short answer is yes, but with a caveat. It's an excellent platform for learning and developing your drifting skills, thanks to its balanced handling and rear-wheel-drive layout. But if you're looking to compete at a high level, you'll likely need to invest in some upgrades to unlock its full potential. The Subaru BRZ is more than just a car; it's a blank canvas waiting for you to add your personal touch and turn it into a sideways-sliding machine.

What Makes the BRZ a Good Drifting Platform?

Several factors contribute to the Subaru BRZ's appeal as a drifting platform. First and foremost, it's rear-wheel drive. This is a non-negotiable feature for most drifters, as it allows you to break traction in the rear wheels and initiate a slide. Front-wheel-drive cars can't really drift in the same way; they're more about controlled cornering and minimizing understeer. The BRZ's rear-wheel-drive setup provides the fundamental basis for drifting, allowing you to use the throttle and steering to control the car's angle and direction while sliding. The second crucial element is the BRZ's weight distribution. It boasts a near-perfect 53/47 weight distribution (front/rear), which means the car is incredibly balanced and predictable. This balance translates to more controlled and consistent drifts, making it easier to manage the car's behavior when it's sliding sideways. A car with poor weight distribution can be unpredictable and difficult to control, especially when you're pushing it to its limits. The BRZ's balanced chassis gives you a solid foundation to work with, allowing you to focus on perfecting your technique rather than fighting the car's inherent tendencies. Another aspect that makes the BRZ a good drifting platform is its responsive steering. The steering is precise and communicative, giving you a good feel for what the front wheels are doing. This is essential for initiating and controlling drifts, as you need to be able to quickly and accurately adjust the steering angle to maintain the desired line. The BRZ's steering rack is also relatively quick, meaning you don't have to turn the wheel excessively to get the car to respond. This quickness and responsiveness contribute to the car's overall agility and make it easier to transition between drifts. The BRZ's suspension also plays a role in its drifting capabilities. The suspension is relatively stiff, which helps to minimize body roll and keep the car stable when it's sliding. This stiffness also allows you to feel the road better and anticipate the car's movements. However, the suspension is not so stiff that it makes the car uncomfortable to drive on the street. It's a good compromise between performance and comfort, making the BRZ a practical choice for both drifting and daily driving. Lastly, the BRZ's aftermarket support is a significant advantage. There's a huge range of aftermarket parts available for the BRZ, allowing you to customize it to your specific drifting needs. From suspension upgrades to engine modifications, you can easily find parts to improve the car's performance and handling. This extensive aftermarket support makes the BRZ a popular choice among drifters, as it allows them to tailor the car to their individual preferences and driving style. The Subaru BRZ offers a winning combination of rear-wheel drive, balanced weight distribution, responsive steering, and ample aftermarket support, making it a highly capable and enjoyable drift car.

Addressing the Power Issue

One of the most common criticisms of the Subaru BRZ is its lack of power. While the car's handling and balance are excellent, its relatively low horsepower output can be a limiting factor, especially for more experienced drifters. The BRZ's 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine produces around 200 horsepower, which is enough for spirited driving and learning the basics of drifting, but it can feel inadequate when you're trying to maintain high drift angles or initiate drifts at higher speeds. This lack of power can make it difficult to keep the rear wheels spinning, especially on grippy surfaces or when you're running wider tires. The engine needs to be revved high to extract maximum performance, which can be tiring and require precise throttle control. Some drivers find themselves constantly shifting gears to stay in the power band, which can disrupt the flow of their drifts. But don't worry, there are several ways to address the power issue and unlock the BRZ's full potential. The most common solution is to install a turbocharger or supercharger. These forced induction systems can significantly increase the engine's horsepower and torque output, giving you the extra grunt you need to initiate and sustain drifts more easily. Turbo kits and supercharger kits are readily available for the BRZ, and they can boost the engine's output to well over 300 horsepower, depending on the specific kit and tuning. However, adding a turbo or supercharger is a significant modification that requires careful installation and tuning to ensure reliability. It's also important to consider the impact on the engine's longevity, as forced induction can put additional stress on its components. Another option is to swap the engine for a more powerful one. Some BRZ owners have replaced the stock engine with engines from other Subaru models, such as the WRX or STI, which offer significantly more horsepower and torque. Engine swaps can be complex and expensive, but they can also provide a substantial performance boost. It's important to research the compatibility of different engines and ensure that all the necessary modifications are made to the car's wiring and drivetrain. In addition to forced induction and engine swaps, there are other modifications that can improve the BRZ's power output. Upgrading the exhaust system, intake system, and engine management system can all help to extract more power from the engine. These modifications are generally less expensive and easier to install than turbo kits or engine swaps, but they can still provide a noticeable improvement in performance. Ultimately, the best way to address the BRZ's power issue depends on your budget, skill level, and goals. If you're just starting out with drifting, you may be able to get by with the stock engine for a while. But if you're serious about competing or pushing the car to its limits, you'll likely need to invest in some power upgrades to unlock its full potential. With the right modifications, the Subaru BRZ can become a truly formidable drift car, capable of holding its own against much more expensive and powerful machines.

Essential Modifications for Drifting the BRZ

While the Subaru BRZ is a decent drift car in its stock form, there are several modifications that can significantly enhance its performance and make it more suitable for competitive drifting. These modifications address some of the car's limitations and improve its overall handling, power, and reliability. One of the most important modifications for drifting is a limited-slip differential (LSD). The stock BRZ comes with an open differential, which means that power is sent to the wheel with the least amount of traction. This can be a problem when drifting, as it can cause one wheel to spin uselessly while the other wheel receives no power. An LSD distributes power more evenly to both rear wheels, ensuring that both wheels are contributing to the drift. This improves traction, control, and predictability, making it easier to initiate and maintain drifts. There are several types of LSDs available for the BRZ, including clutch-type, Torsen-type, and electronic-type. Clutch-type LSDs are generally considered to be the most aggressive and responsive, while Torsen-type LSDs are smoother and more predictable. Electronic-type LSDs use electronic sensors and actuators to control the amount of slip, allowing for more precise tuning. Another essential modification for drifting is a coilover suspension. The stock BRZ suspension is relatively soft and compliant, which is fine for street driving but not ideal for drifting. Coilover suspensions allow you to adjust the ride height and damping, giving you more control over the car's handling. Lowering the ride height can improve the car's center of gravity and reduce body roll, while adjusting the damping can fine-tune the suspension's response to different road conditions and driving styles. When choosing a coilover suspension, it's important to select a set that is designed specifically for drifting. These suspensions typically have stiffer spring rates and more aggressive damping curves than street-oriented suspensions. Stiffer springs help to minimize body roll and keep the car stable when it's sliding, while aggressive damping helps to control the suspension's movement and prevent it from bottoming out. Upgrading the brakes is also important for drifting. The stock BRZ brakes are adequate for street driving, but they can overheat and fade under the stress of repeated hard braking during drifting. Upgrading to larger rotors, more aggressive pads, and stainless steel brake lines can improve the brakes' performance and prevent them from overheating. Larger rotors provide more surface area for heat dissipation, while more aggressive pads offer better friction and stopping power. Stainless steel brake lines reduce brake fade by preventing the brake lines from expanding under pressure. In addition to these essential modifications, there are other upgrades that can further enhance the BRZ's drifting capabilities. These include a hydraulic handbrake, which allows you to lock the rear wheels independently of the brake pedal; a roll cage, which improves the car's safety and structural rigidity; and bucket seats, which provide better support and keep you firmly planted in the car during hard driving. By carefully selecting and installing the right modifications, you can transform the Subaru BRZ into a highly capable and competitive drift car.

Is the BRZ Right for You?

Deciding whether the Subaru BRZ is the right drift car for you depends on several factors, including your budget, skill level, and goals. If you're just starting out with drifting and have a limited budget, the BRZ can be a great entry-level option. Its relatively low price, rear-wheel-drive layout, and balanced handling make it easy to learn the basics of drifting without breaking the bank. You can start with a stock BRZ and gradually upgrade it as your skills and budget allow. However, if you're serious about competing or pushing the car to its limits, you'll likely need to invest in some significant modifications, such as a turbocharger, limited-slip differential, and coilover suspension. These modifications can significantly increase the cost of the car, so it's important to factor them into your budget. Another factor to consider is your skill level. While the BRZ is relatively easy to drift, it's not a magic bullet. It still requires practice and skill to master the art of drifting. If you're new to drifting, it's important to start slowly and gradually increase your speed and aggression as you become more comfortable with the car. It's also a good idea to take a drifting lesson or attend a drifting event to learn from experienced drivers. Your goals will also influence whether the BRZ is the right drift car for you. If you're just looking to have fun and slide around on weekends, the BRZ can be a great choice. But if you're serious about competing at a high level, you may want to consider a more powerful and capable car. There are many other drift cars available on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular alternatives to the BRZ include the Nissan 240SX, Mazda RX-7, and BMW E36. These cars offer more power and aftermarket support than the BRZ, but they can also be more expensive and require more maintenance. Ultimately, the best way to decide whether the BRZ is right for you is to test drive one and see how you like it. Take it to a track or open parking lot and try drifting it yourself. See how it feels, how it responds to your inputs, and whether it meets your needs and expectations. If you enjoy driving the BRZ and feel like you can improve your skills with it, then it may be the perfect drift car for you. But if you find it lacking in power or handling, you may want to consider a different option. The decision of whether the Subaru BRZ is a good drift car ultimately rests on your individual requirements and tastes. It's a superb platform with plenty to offer, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Assess your needs, do your research, and pick the car that will give you the most joy on the track. Happy drifting, guys!