I was thinking about pulling the trigger on a buggy I just found but wasn't sure if it would be too much to start with.

It is a long travel car with about 16-18 inches of travel and a 2.0 turbo subaru.

I have only been going to the dunes for 2 years and haven't really driven a buggy yet (except around the camp). My dilema is that I want to get something nice that I can upgrade and keep at least 3-5 years (before maybe moving into a V8). I just don't think a standard travel or even a mid-travel will be what I want in 2-3 seasons (Our entire camp is long travel Tatum's, Buckshot's, and Sandlimo's...could I even keep up in a standard or mid)?

I don't want to over do it and hurt myself but I also don't want to under buy and be disappointed after 1 season. For ther record I am actually a pretty cautious driver not crazy at all. My concern is with some of the things you come across in the dunes that you can only learn with experience (Witches eye, transitions, etc...). I don't want to wreck an expensive car (well not real expensive but more than a mid-travel). Is starting with a long travel too much or is it actually better and a little more forgiving if you do make a mistake?

Thanks to all those with some experience that decide to chime in

How about a little more details on the car.

I wouldnt say cheap vs expensive because its how the car is made that would allow for it to make it through that witch eye vs rippin an arm off.

As long as all people in the car are safe, replacing parts such as A arms etc is fairly cheap.

Im not saying you cant keep up with a mid travel car - but it would be a work out and you'd be looking to move up after one season of trying.

Personally - if the car is worth what your willing to spend - pull the trigger and enjoy!! You might want to ask the peeps you camp with as it sounds like they are experienced enough with you and your dunning habits..

Sorry.

4 seat sand limo. probably arond 1800 pounds?

Besides all the Sand Limo jokes you may end up hearing here on the board I agree with Chummin in that if you can afford it go for it. If the people you hang with are driving LT cars you have probably been in a few and know how much fun they are. Why buy what you don't really want only to have to sell it later and take a loss financially. If you want to keep it a few seasons buy as close to what you want. Ask the people in your camp to check it out so you don't end up buying someone elses piece of junk.

Sounds good to me. If you're trying to play grab ass with Fasterdaddy, Flashpoint, and King Glamis in the dunes, then it probably isn't going to work. However, if you have some people that aren't mental cases in your camp, then it sounds like it will be a great first car. If you like it and you think it's a fair deal, then go for it!

Go for it!... You won't regret it!

I agree, sounds like a great car. The right equipment will make your learning experience go that much smoother, literally! JT

Dang , you sound like Funco4life with a mullet

:

There is NOOOOOOOOOOOO way in hell I'm THAT bad! I bet a dollar to a doughnut that homer has Funco-roo underwear.

I just bought my first buggy (well, a couple of months ago), and I can say that I never considered less than a long travel. A few variables also made me go with a v8 engine over a juiced up 4 or 6 cylinder; something for you to think about too. Of course I had the budget for it, but it sounds like you might as well.

I don't think even a v8 is "too much" if you are a smart driver. Sure, it's easier to pull some antics, but hey, poop happens. Enjoy and good luck.

That's cause a v8 could never be enough

John

Good advice...sounds like you're mature enough to be concerned with your abilities, and if you're not leading, and following properly, a lot of those things you're worried about will be easy to deal with. I say go for it..

Go for it Have fun and Be safe

If a V-8 is what you're after, then by all means go get a V-8. Respect the machine and it will respect you. Leave your genitalia in your pants and live a long, healthy V-8 long travel life!!!

Right on, John.

I was thinking the same thing.

i agree on that
IMHO if you have self controll a V8 can be even safer then a smaller engine with less torque. with a V8 you dont have to keep the momentum up so much; you can slow down, check out the situation, and then simply "power" out of it.
start with a good, close to stock engine and then upgrade as you get better in reading the dunes

"<<mature enough to be concerned with your abilities,">>


Hmmm...


"Things that make you go Hmmm..."


Carl

If you got the $$$$ go for it! you will regret not getting what you want especially when it comes to toys!

carl....why does that make you go hmmmm? When I was younger, and less mature.....I tended to over rate my abilities, which resulted in some rather painful lessons. Now that I'm an old fart, I tend to be a little more realistic in what I can and can't do, and find that those painful lessons are a little bit fewer and farther between. Is that not a good thing? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

by the car you can afford if its a lt w/v8 then drive it to your abilities if you push it your gonna get hurt or hurt someone else even a 2.0 turboed subie can be too much if you drive beyond your abilities good luck

I dont know about the guys in your camp but You could keep up with these guys with a vw beam car

never hurts to keep looking till you dont want anybodys opinion, you want it because it fits you and what you are looking for in a car GOOD LUCK

Absolutely!! But how many times have you read about someone here with , let's just say, a very high opinion of their abilites with respect to driving. And we're adults!

OK, most of us are, most of the time.

Carl

my opinion is not just high; its on TOP

[quote=recordspinz,Jul 11 2005, 10:41 PM]
I was thinking about pulling the trigger on a buggy I just found but wasn't sure if it would be too much to start with.

It is a long travel car with about 16-18 inches of travel and a 2.0 turbo subaru.

I have only been going to the dunes for 2 years and haven't really driven a buggy yet (except around the camp). My dilema is that I want to get something nice that I can upgrade and keep at least 3-5 years (before maybe moving into a V8). I just don't think a standard travel or even a mid-travel will be what I want in 2-3 seasons (Our entire camp is long travel Tatum's, Buckshot's, and Sandlimo's...could I even keep up in a standard or mid)?

I don't want to over do it and hurt myself but I also don't want to under buy and be disappointed after 1 season. For ther record I am actually a pretty cautious driver not crazy at all. My concern is with some of the things you come across in the dunes that you can only learn with experience (Witches eye, transitions, etc...). I don't want to wreck an expensive car (well not real expensive but more than a mid-travel). Is starting with a long travel too much or is it actually better and a little more forgiving if you do make a mistake?

We just recently upgraded to a LT from a mid travel, a Sand limo Coupe. I had alot of the same concerns but you sound like you have more experience than i did. I had only driven our mid travel one day at the dunes the rest of the time it had been in the desert.
well, we hooked up with a good bunch of experienced drivers (Copper, Buggy Gal and Sandzilla) that took us out and were very patient and showed us the ropes while in St Anthony. After the second day we were feeling much more relaxed and confident which made for a much more enjoyable vacation. My suggestion is buy as much buggy as you can afford comfortably because you wont end up saying i wish I had less of a car. Just dont get overconfident and listen to the people you trust. If there is something they're doing you dont feel comfortable just say so they will understand.. BTW if you want any info on Sand Limo I : would be happy to give my $.02 worth just PM me

I hear you... I went from a ST V.W. to a LT V-3, Subaru N/A 6 cylinder right at 1865 lbs. full of gas ready to go. I also thought about a V-8 because everyone else had one and they sound so cool. Your car should be around the same power. I really miss my ST but I love my LT and I can keep up with the Big Mac's in the dunes. Can I pull wheelies up hill? Almost. Am I the fastest at the drags? NO. Am I the slowest in the dunes? NO. Sure everyone wants more travel, more H.P., more bling... It all comes down to this, there are cars that cost 3, 4 or 5 times more than mine but my smile is just as big as the other guys. I love my car, if I need more power I'll just up grade, but right now it is perfect, starts right up, dunes with speed and comfort... And I'm in the DUNES

E exactly

Thanks Mike-n-Joyce, Sorry we missed you at St. Anthony looking forward to dune with you next season... Buddie

Absolutely!! But how many times have you read about someone here with , let's just say, a very high opinion of their abilites with respect to driving. And we're adults!

OK, most of us are, most of the time.

Carl

I never have and never will claim I am a grownup.