ive got a buggy 2 seater in really good shape for sale it has a 1600 dual port VW motor in it
just painted it royal blue with metallic in it runs good

 

Most buggys use VW power, and most VW's have manual trannys. VW's are the easiest to setup and the lightest. (no water weight) My first sandrail had a VW bus engine and tranny. Frame cost me $450 used.

I am building another buggy using a Honda engine and drivetrain out of a '87 Accord. I built the frame myself, so it only cost about $150 in materials. Biggest problem with FWD car parts is lacking suspension travel. Building a shift linkage can be tricky, but may be easier with an auto.

Anything is possible with buggys. Decide what you can afford, build it, then have a blast!

 

we bought a bugpack bigboy frame for $800, put an 1835cc vw air cooled motor, 3-rib bus tranny, irs, it's nice.. fun to drive.