So, I went to Wellsville today for the first time (on a bike) and I just sat at the base of Scooby, and watched all the buggies climb it in awe! (If you were there, I was on a Red Honda XR250 with a helmet cam on) And that got me itchin to build one! They look like too much FUN!!!

I was just wondering how much you guys think I'd be able to build one for? I am able to get the Berrien Warrior frame for $250 (from a deal, not welded) and my buddy who I rode with today said I could have his 2.0l VW motor out of his old Porsche for $200 and I was wondering how much (rough est.) on how much it would cost me to make a decent beginner buggy? So I got the motor and chassis done for $450.......

Thanks guys!
Colton W.

BTW: When I was at Wellsville, I saw so many buggies that I have seen on here! So cool! You guys rock!!

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"Dang.. I want one!"

itl very but if u go cheap ul be fixing it alot and spending more money on the parts to upgrade its just best to spend what u gotta spend for the best parts so u wont be fixing it alot and what not but theres alot of guys on here that will send u in the right direction and might even have some good parts u can buy off them for half the price of new... Good luck in what ever direction you go and buggies are sure hell alot of fun i got into my buggy addiction in 2009 and been hooked ever since hardly ever touch my quad or dirt bike anymore cuz its so much fun

Yea, I see what you're talking about.. I'm talking about a decent/beginner buggy.. I will re-inforce everything to make it strong, and I will be able to get alot of extra metal/tubing for next to nothing if not free from my father's work, and we have a mig, tig, and arc welders... I just don't know about the tranny, suspension, brakes, steering, etc prices

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"Dang.. I want one!"

Also, does anyone know anything about the 2.0L VW's? Are they any good? Strong runners? Reliable? What cc are they?

Thanks guys!!
Colton W.

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"Dang.. I want one!"

ul wanta go with a buss tranny cuz of the durability.. heres acouple of places i order some of my parts from if i cant make it to one of the buggy shops around me dansperformance.com and mooreparts.com it can get and idea of prices there for ur brakes and steering and shocks also u can run rancho shocks and u can get those at summit racing or shocks from ur local parts stores, there a lil bit ruffer than the fox shocks but alot cheaper so u can enjoy ur buggy while u invest in it and find what'll work best for u

if a beginer is what your after then shop the forsale ads, buggy prices are dirt cheap rite now! you can buy a fine beginer at half the cost you can build one even at the cheapest cost! there is nothing like the reward of building your own, but if you just want to get started my advice is to buy a ready to go turn key, alot of em out there rite now for insane low prices. after you ride a little while and know what it is you want your buggy to do then by all means build your own! just my 2 cents

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lets just ride

I agree with bmorre

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i wana ride, i wana ride, i wana ride

i agree with that also

me too!

I see where you guys are comming from, however, I would really just like to build my own.. so I would know it inside and out if something would happen to it, and I'd know how well it was built, and it would be a very fun project! I was just wondering how much it cost you guys to build beginner buggies?

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"Dang.. I want one!"

mine was about $6000 thats all the good stuff. Hydraulic pedals an steering brakes, 6 rib trans, ecotec engine, wheels n tires, gauges, aluminum radiator. You can find a good cheap ready to ride starter buggy for $2500. Thats my advise. gives you a good idea of what you like n dont like when you then build your own.

How off are these prices?
Frame $250
motor $200
seats $150
Tires $500
shocks $75
misc. $500
$1675 total

Wouldn't this be alot cheaper that buying one?!

I, do, however, like this one: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/rvs/1960359979.html

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"Dang.. I want one!"

I think if you go with the bare essentiasl and have a donner car for all your chassis parts you could do easy for 2000 to 2500. Thats doing all the work yourself and shopping good for parts.

Dude thats a good price on that buggy. Its worth looking into. If you buy one ready to go you can always strip it down and reassemble it so you know everything about it.

be aware of anything used untill ya see is in person i have went and looked at two single seater frames and they both were junk one was bent 2 1/2 inches out of square and the other was the most horid weld i have ever seen , so my suggestion is take someone with you that knows what to look for !
one mans junk is another mans gold or is it one mans gold is another mans junk ! hmmm... point taken !
good luck with your itch
jason

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Theirs no replacement for displacement !

i suggest you buy one to build off of. You listed a parts list and prices, but expect to have atleast about another 2 grand in odds and ends (bare essentials). especially if you are starting from a zero buggy backround. Take it from us that have learned the hard way!

How off are these prices?
Frame $250
motor $200
seats $150
Tires $500
shocks $75
misc. $500----------------------------------------- $2000 +
$1675 total

I agree with everyone else. Buy a complete car. Jeff is right more like 2 grand in misc. And what about trans,clutch,entire front suspension,entire rear suspension,brakes,entire steering system,seat belts,rear torsion housing,gas tank,flooring,etc? I would suggest some research on new and used parts prices make a list of everything you need and weigh out the cost. i,m sure you will find its a lot cheaper to buy than build. Then if you decide to build later you will still save some money because you will have many of your parts already.

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Turbocharged Ecotec,vanogon midshift,Berrien WoodsBuggy wagon.

When I built my wifes I spent over 450 bucks on grade 8 bolts washers and nuts like Jeff said more like 2G

i built my buggy from the frame up twice. all i can say it will nickle and dime you to death. your better off starting off with a decent used one, and i highly recomend like giveitagallon says, when you go to buy one, take an experienced buggy builder with you. ive seen alot of junk out there. but i also seen alot of good buggies go for cheap.

yes there IS alot of junk out there.
buy a turn-key. I parts a bunch of parts with a rolling chassie. That was a huge mistake.
After you have one for a while, you will have alot better knowledge of what you want in a buggy. Nothing sucks more than buying something, putting it on, then finding out it's not what you wanted or it doesn't work like you had hoped.

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Why do I hate everyone?...................because they deserve it

"I was just wondering how much you guys think I'd be able to build one for? I am able to get the Berrien Warrior frame for $250 (from a deal, not welded) and my buddy who I rode with today said I could have his 2.0l VW motor out of his old Porsche for $200 and I was wondering how much (rough est.) on how much it would cost me to make a decent beginner buggy? So I got the motor and chassis done for $450......."

The VW motor that you talk about has exhaust ports facing downward. This decreases your ground clearance in the rear when you add a shield. This engine is a "type 4" VW engine. Most off road buggies use a "type 1" or an "upright" VW engine. You will get lots of fun out of a freshly rebuilt stock engine that has a performance cam and 2 barrel carb and intake.

The lightest buggy will use an air cooled upright type 1 engine. To make it tough enough for off road, you will adapt in a VW bus 6 rib transmission, rack and pinion steering, porsche 930 cv joints, disc brakes, aftermarket wheels and racing seats and 5 point belts. Your fuel cell and fuel venting should be done properly ...for roll over situations and always wear a helmet.

Used frames are always rusted inside the lowest parts where the water gets in and can't get out. This is hard to check when buying, so do some testing of the lower tubing if you buy a used frame/ buggy. Used buggies may need several upgrades or rebuilds such as: engine, alternator, battery, carb, fuel pump, heads, transmission, clutch and pressure plate, cvs, brake calipers and shoes, shocks, slave cylinder, master cylinder(s), shifter, belts, lights, wiring, welds, tires, steering components and suspension bushings.

Upgrades to consider are: adjustable rear suspension with extended arms, secured rear arm pivot bolts, u-jointed shifter shaft, double roll bar and gusseting, fuel cell and a place to strap in a cooler.

Don't go out on the trails with a buggy that has not been gone over real good. Loosing your brakes is the scariest experience in the world next to hearing that your girlfriend is late.

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a.k.a."PittsburghJim" on www.dune-buggy.com

Be careful, dont buy junk that your gonna have to redo from front to back. I have a Suby powered thats forsale. 10 grand invested with spare parts will sell for 8000

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"YOU CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, WATCH THINGS HAPPEN OR WONDER WHAT THE F$$K HAPPEND...WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN" The strong words of Captain Phil! Rest in peice!

I believe to build a decent beginner buggy even with what u have listed price wise u will still be looking at 4000 to 5000$ IMO. I spent $4500 just tearing mine down and putting it back together and there was no engine work involved.

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i wana ride, i wana ride, i wana ride

I would love to build my own buggy but I know from a money stand point its way cheaper to buy one that's. Already done there r few really decent buggies for sale on here that have a really good price on them

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i wana ride, i wana ride, i wana ride

go to forsale adds, check out beeline buggy for sale post! you wont get a better bang for your buck and its soooooo much cheaper than building your own

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lets just ride