I dont think there really is a "best" or "#1" car for drifting. I have driven pretty much all the popular chassis of "drift cars (S2000, Miata [duh], AE86, 300ZX, 240SX [SR and KA], FC RX-7) and they're all different. In my opinion, the 240 is most popular because thats what was seen drifing in Japan because the options they get they we didnt. Also, the car is relatively easy to drive/drift as its demenor is pretty slow reacting. The 300ZX TT i drove was similar to this too, just with better power delivery. Smaller cars like the AE86 (made popular by Initial D) require more power mods to make better, though i made my 96 Miata very adept for drifting in n/a form with decent suspension. The handling on these cars is much more twitchy and requires MUCH more driver input to keep the car sliding as it would rather grip. I dont think the Miatas caught on because they hold their value (for the better ones with 1.8 and Torsen LSD's) and because of the "girly" image a lot of people assosiate with them. Too bad

I myself enjoy having a car that takes a lot of "staying on top of" to drift, and its still "different" to be drifting a Miata.

But for prespective in price:

240-----
Chassis- $1500 to $2000 for a beat up car with no care for looks, $3000+ for a clean body and good condition.
SR- $2000 for a good deal on a motor and install.
Suspension- $800/$1200+ for good new stuff
intercooler- $300+
LSD- $600+ for something good (not a VLSD from J30 or HICAS car, VLSD is acceptable but others are much better and mroe consistant)


Miata-----
90-93 with 1.6 and no lsd $1000-$3000
94-97 with 1.8 and TorsenLSD $2500-$5000
Various Turbo kits- $2000-$5000
Superchargers-$2200-$4000 (there is a bad ass one for $2500 with potential to go to 300rwhp)
Suspension $500-$1200 for new stuff


See... its all relative to what you like to look at.

OK, i would type more, but im at work and need to get going.