My first rail......looking for advise

[bigdawg13]

Hey y'all thanks for your input !

I have been surfing Craigslist for "sandrails" and have seen some good junk and some nice rides that I can't afford and I am looking for advise.

1) My dune buddies say to stay away from V-dubs but they are so plentiful.....

2) Mid-engine -vs- rear.....

3) Long travel is out for $$ reasons so ... stock -vs- mid travel

4) Swing axle -vs- irs

5) Or is it as simple as to what you can afford? If money was no object we all know what we would have........

My budget is in the 5 to 7k range and looking for more reliability than anything else...... Im not into needing to wrench every other trip just to keep it running, but I am willing to work and upgrade my ride if its a good base to start from.

Thanks for looking,

Bill

[sandawg]

"Or is it as simple as to what you can afford? If money was no object we all know what we would have........"

Personally I think you have answered your own question.

You are in the same posistion that I have been all my duning days.

You will be limited to a stock travel or a rare mid travel.

If you want reliabiility just make sure you know the rail you consider.

My current rail I bought for 4,200 and have had to put in over 4-5000 in up grades and replacement parts and repairs.

If I were to try and sell it right now I would be lucky to get 6,000 for it.

Just so you know there is an older fellow like me and he said he hasn't touched his mechamically for 7 or 8 years. He drives it hard but within his and the rails capability. He and I bouth have a ball with our VW rails.

Good luck, Vw's have worked well in most cases for many many years.

Edited November 15, 2012 by sandawg

[JoeDuner]

If you want a reliable all around duner, I would highly recommend a RZR S. Plus the 4x4 option opens up all kinds of other options.

[raspadoo]

For 7k you should be able to get a nice mid travel irs buggy with a bus box, may be limited to a stroked VW though. Lots of fun to be had with that though!

[raspadoo]

ps Look on glamisdunes.com racedezert.com and dunebuggy.com as well

[ocean's 4]

Can't go wrong with a VW beam or mid travel. I love my VW rail, goes up anything, affordable if something breaks, reliable as hell, and hauls the whole family. Your budget is well within a nice VW rail. I built mine from scratch (exception of the frame) to what I wanted and am happy with the end result.

[ynot]

Theres a nice VW powered rail on this site for sale right in your price range. Check out the classidieds under sandrails for sale.

[sandrash1]

If you could add a couple more $k to your budget, the Busa rail for sail here on the forum is a pretty good deal. Long travel, reliable, and can dune with any group. Had one for a couple of years and really a huge step up from the beam or mid travel cars. Not having reverse is a pain once in a while. Just need to remember that when parking.

[raspadoo]

Sold, but something like this would be sweet for sure.

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=274352&hl=

[ItsWeeks]

I would do what ken said and if you can put a few thousand more towards your purchase and get at least a busa car or find a project car and put it together like I did with mine. If you get a beam car it will probably be fun for a while then your gonna want to go to bigger or long travel. Or use the money as a down payment on an xp900.

couple options, first car is a friends just a couple ideas. Good Luck

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rvs/3394666957.html

another

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rvs/3412989430.html

[dunefreak]

I agree. Long travel Busa = today's low budget/ bang for the buck sandcar. The Hayabusa is the current time's Volkswagon except its FAR more powerful and dependable. You just can't beat it.

[dunefreak]

Here you go. $9950. Seriously a killer deal. http://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=17972

[White Rhino]

Agreed that is an AMAZING deal!! That's a BRAND NEW car!!!