Two Things To Look Out For When Shopping For A Project Car For Drifting
Drifting has become an increasingly popular sport over the last decade. It's not hard to see why: sliding cars sideways around corners is something that driving enthusiasts have enjoyed doing since the dawn of the automobile.
Some of the most popular platforms for enthusiasts include early models of the Mazda Miata, Mazda RX-7, Nissan 240sx, and Toyota Supra. That's because all of those cars are relatively cheap, lightweight, and rear-wheel drive. The problem is that a lot of the surviving inexpensive rear-wheel drive cars on the market have been abused and driven into the ground by amateur drifters. Because of that, there are a couple of things you need to look out for when shopping for a project car.
Chassis Damage
Drifting subjects a car's chassis to a lot of stress. Repeatedly sliding a car back and forth causes the chassis to bend and flex in ways that can compromise its structural integrity over time.
When you inspect your next potential project car in person, bring a flashlight. Get underneath the car and closely examine the chassis for damage. Pay especially close attention to the rear where the suspension components are bolted to the frame — sliding the rear while drifting can cause those mounting points to tear and crack over time. Also look for any signs of rusting, as rust can severely compromise the strength of the chassis.
If everything looks good, take the car to a reputable auto body shop before you make a purchase. They'll be able to inspect the chassis much more thoroughly and tell you whether or not you're buying a lemon.
Body Damage
A lot of amateur drifters tend to drive beyond their limits, lose control, and bash their cars into walls and other obstacles. The occasional minor scrape should be expected in the world of drifting, but a hard hit can damage hidden chassis components beneath the body panels.
Look for replaced body panels such as fenders and doors. Also inspect the entire exterior of the car for body-filler putty that has been used to smooth over dents. Knock your knuckles against all of the exterior panels of the car: body-filler that has been painted over will produce a plastic-like thud rather than a metallic one.
Again, if you suspect there has been extensive damage to the exterior, have the car inspected by professionals at a body shop, like Westside Fender/Body & Refinishing, to determine how extensive any underlying damage may be.