Well, at first i would like to address that the real form of Drifting is more than it meets the eyes. First of all, drifting either a car or a small RC car, you all need to have the power within your control. So does Drifting really mean to loose almost all traction? From what we've on those options video, and the D1 Series in Japan, it all looked like they're just afloat on the race track. But really, they are all in full control of every movement, and every corner. The amount of throttle, amount of braking, turn of steering wheel, and most of all, the timing of each action they take to keep the car in control.
So, back down to the topic that has been talked about. RC car drifting also has the same principle applied to it as of a real car drifting. Personally, i own an xmod too, i've previously owned a number of different kinds of RC cars too. Needless to say i've also tried TycoRC and all other Wal-Mart and Toysrus brands too. Also to add, i've also tried to put packing tape and electrical tape onto the tires of the RC cars to make them slide. I've also done some motor upgrades to the RC cars to gain power to the wheels. I'm also one of those people who would love to spend more for an RC car and get the more expensive models to play with, but as my budgets rightnow wouldn't allow me to do that yet.
What I'm tryig to say is, drifting an RC car is very much possible. Either with a cheaper version of RC car, or a more expensive ones like Kyosho, the same principle for Drifting still applies! So what if you have an RC with a simple designed steering, throttle, and brake control. Or if you have more money, a more sophisticated version of RC cars that would allow you to customize every from bumper to bumper. Go ahead and try to find your own way to drift them! I'm not trying to stop anyone from trying them, i'm just trying to clearify my own point of view here!
Yes you can try to drift an RC with taped tires, it'll just be like driving on ice! Yes you can try to use PCV pipes to fit over your wheels, but guess what? you'll still need some traction to gain control. If you own a electric powered RC, then be careful of your motor torquing your tires too much until they loose too much traction with those PCV pipes. At last, Yes you can still drift with rubber tires, because my point is... do we see Tommy Mac driving a PCV tires on tarmac? do we see D1 drivers drive in a skating rink? No they don't, they all use rubber compound on any surface they drive on. They may use different compound and tread patterns for a specific surface, but all the difference in them, they all have a purpose.
Let me just talk about drifting again for a minute. Drifting exists in all forms of motorsport racing. From rally to F1, they all drift. Believe it or not? up to you. It's obvious in rally races where they clip corners on the mountain paths at that high angle and speed. Do they really want to loose all their traction on that course? No they don't, or else there'll be no reason for all those 50 different sets of tires, even hand cut tread patterns. It's not so obvious that F1 drivers drift too. But truth is they do too. At a smaller angle, and not as visible, also at higher speeds, they drift before we know that they are. Why do they do Drift during those racing situations? They're not for show purpose only. They did that to achieve maximum speed under a specific condition. Drifting actually gives them speed during the race, not slow them down and do doughnuts.
Back to RC, full throttle till the tires spin is called a "powerslide" or "burnout". Taping your tires so slick till they can't hold the road and try to take a corner at speed meaning that you're looking for a "360" before you make a "slide". PCV tires on RC cars WITH a suspension and good drivetrain meaning "control" with less "traction". Driving an RC with the the right suspension setup, good drivetrain capability, and a good set of brakes, Can ride down the racetrack at full speed and possibily perform drifts on corners. I've seen 1/5th scale doing high speed drifts on the track.
To answer some of your questions, why spend more for an RC car that only meant to be controlled? Because there is a reason for something to be expensive. For instance, PS One and PS2 are both on the market rightnow, why buy PS One? Or another words, why buy an PS2? PS One is cheaper right? but PS2 has more feature... right? Why buy an $50 xmod over a $200 miniz? Tell you the truth, miniz handles alot better than xmods. Why buy a expensive Drift Kit made by Yokomo when you can just buy a Toysrus RC car? Because you can't control the Toysrus one as well as you can control Yokomo ones.
But then again, i'm not trying to tell everyone to spend loads of cash on something that they're not even needing. To tell you all the truth, if you're happy with powersliding the RC on corners, go with what you feel is suitable for that purpose. If you feel like sliding around the course, again, get what you're happy with. But if you're serious about this hobby of RC cars, and would do anything to get what you're really happy with, then you gotta spend that extra cash.
In conclusion, there is not really a right or wrong with this choosing of RC cars as for the price, performance, or looks. Get what you're comfortable with. Me myself wants tuneable parts and upgrades, so i will be spending more money for something more customizable later on. But if cash is something that you're concerning with, play with what you got rightnow, and save some cash if you really want to go on with this hobby. Remember, "you get what you paid for". There's a reason why something is not as costly, they're simpler.
