How Much Does a Dune Buggy Cost?

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

A dune buggy is a vehicle that you can ride in the sand or on beaches. It also works great for when you’re exploring deserts, but not so much on grassy areas, since it doesn’t have any suspension to cushion bumps and rough terrain like normal cars do.

This type of vehicle can be found under various names.

For example, the name the British gave it is “beach buggy”. They are also called “sandrails”, although this name refers to a specific dune buggy built especially for open sand areas. Finally, “off-road go-karts” are, as their name says, for off-road.

All of these vehicles are designed to be as light and nimble on the sand or off-road terrain, but there is a difference between them. The beach buggy has wide tires for better traction in loose surfaces like sand while the dune buggy features thick treads made out of knobs that can grip any surface when it’s wet.

How much does a dune buggy cost?

A dune buggy is an off-road vehicle used for recreation, racing, and even search & rescue missions. The cost of these vehicles can vary greatly depending on the power and model as well as miles or age. Refer to our table below which contains some popular models:

Basic recreational types of dune buggies will generally be priced within the $1,700-$15,500 range while a kid’s version usually costs less than $2,000; street legal buggies designed for open terrain may cost anywhere from $6,000 to more than $25,000.

They are not recommended if you live near mountains because they have poor ground clearance so they might get stuck easily in rough terrain or spiky rocks. One higher-end example would be around the price tag of about $30,000.

ATVTraderOnline.com, which is an ATV classified ads website, has dune buggies that can be purchased for as low as $1,400 and up to nearly $15,000. That being said, there are many factors that go into pricing so the average price of a new one is between $2,400 and $8,000 with some going higher than $10,000 or even $15,000, depending on what features they have.

The VW Dune Buggy is an iconic symbol of the 70s. This vehicle can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $9,500 depending on mileage and general condition. For example, as we write this there are listings for a few eBay items with prices ranging between roughly $2,551 – $13,250.

Renting a dune buggy is an exhilarating experience that will have you hooked right from the first time. You can rent one for as little as $50 to $170 per hour and there are plenty of options to choose from. Also, you must take into consideration the cost of temporary insurance.

You might also like our articles about the cost of RVs, four wheelers, or snow tires.

Dune buggy details

You can choose to get a ride with your dune buggy on the sand, dirt, or pavement. It’s possible to have a single vehicle that will perform well on all terrains but the best is the one designed for each type, which performs better and requires less maintenance than those which try to be versatile.

Sand rails are the cars you want to pick if speed is important. These buggies have powerful engines and smooth tires that allow them to move quickly over sand dunes, which makes them a perfect choice for going around corners fast with little effort. They also do not come equipped with front brakes so they can go really quick without having to worry about slowing down after coming out of a turn like with other vehicles.

Trail buggies are made for rough terrain and come with a few features to keep you safe. The frames of these rugged vehicles are reinforced, as they need it more than most cars. This is because trails have tough surfaces like rocks which can put stress on the vehicle frame. Trail buggy tires also have treads so that even when crossing through mud or snow there won’t be any issues in keeping traction – the threads will grip tightly onto whatever surface is below them.

Fiberglass buggies are lightweight, more fragile than other types of cars, and usually driven on streets, but can also be used for off-road driving.

A standard engine in a dune buggy is between 150cc and 1100cc. The majority of those engines are within the 250cc – 400cc range, but there’s also an 800cc option for more powerful vehicles.

These are just some of the amazing features that you will find on a great dune buggy. Some electric start, remote start, and dual wheel drive models can be found. These cars also come with headlights that adjust speeds for the driver and a battery tender to keep your vehicle running smoothly at all times.

Dune buggies vary in size and function. Some are made for single riders, while others can accommodate two to four people at a time.

If you want to ride a dune buggy, renting from one of the many rental places is your best bet. They come with allotted amounts of time and transportation included in their prices. The price will get lower per hour as you ride longer.

What are the extra costs?

If you want to make sure that your vehicle is more comfortable you should take into consideration the costs of extra accessories like steering racks or off-road suspension seats.

Over its lifespan, your dune buggy will require repairing and maintaining which includes new tires, oil changes, and a new battery. These prices can be close to what you would pay for usual car mechanic visits.

Dune buggies are a lot of fun to ride in, but they can be difficult and expensive to buy. Online purchases often incur high shipping charges due to the size – most dune buggy companies require at least three months for delivery. You will have to wait less if you purchase locally.

Extended warranties offer peace of mind without having to worry too much about what could go wrong with your new purchase later down the line, because they cover most mechanical failures. This would cost you around $170 to $350.

In order to drive your dune buggy, you need insurance. Depending on the type of policy and coverage that you have, it can cost anywhere from $550-$1,600 per year.

Tips for saving money

You can find used models for a fraction of the cost on websites like eBay and Craigslist.  If you’re lucky, they might even be close to home.

In order to get the most out of your dune buggy, you’ll want to figure out what type of terrain it will be going over.  If it’s for hills in a more rural area, then you might not need an engine with as much horsepower, but if you are looking at using it on sandy beaches or small steep inclines that don’t have any kind of traction such as mud, snow, or sand than we recommend getting one fitted with larger tires.