Nothing beats an original. And it doesn’t get more original than the Meyers Manx. Originally introduced in 1964, the Meyers Manx (an off-road refit of Volkswagen’s Beetle) took the world by storm and single-handedly created the dune buggy category. Though the original company went belly up in 1971, they were refounded in 1999 and now offer a wealth of options to get you out on the sand. Including available body kits, chassis, and a wide array of individual parts, this DIY option is one of the most inexpensive ways to get behind the wheel of an iconic dune buggy.

If your primary goal is to get rip-roarin’ out on the dunes as quickly and cheaply as possible, the Joyner Sand Viper might just be your best option. With a baseline price just over the $10k mark, this ready-to-roll dune buggy boasts a top speed of 70 miles per hour courtesy of its water-cooled four-cylinder engine. Mated to its 11-gallon fuel tank, hydraulic disc brakes, 14″ of ground clearance, and a 1,102-lbs capacity — this beast offers a whole lot of fun and capability in an inexpensive package. Displacement: 1,100cc Horsepower: 86

In direct competition with the Joyner above — including a comparable price — the BMS Sand Sniper T-1500 4S is different in some very notable ways. For starters, it comes with seating for four rather than two. It also has a bit of a power advantage, boasting 108 horsepower to the Joyner’s 86. Of course, that also comes with a bit more weight. It also has its own roof rack, in case you want to haul some other gear atop it while you tear across the desert. All told, the biggest difference here is the number of passengers you can bring along. If you need more than two seats, this is the budget dune buggy for you. Displacement: 1,500cc Horsepower: 108

While it might seem like an $8k price jump for just four more ponies is asking a little much, the difference between the previous option and this one is far more than just a slight power upgrade. You see, this off-road dirt devil also features an impressive 124 foot-pounds of torque, a trio of oversized air intakes to keep the engine cool, an upgraded BRP four-link TTX suspension boasting 24″ of travel, and fully-adjustable state-of-the-art Fox shocks so you can customize your ride on the fly. If the best tech in the game is on your radar, this is the dune buggy for you. Displacement: 900cc Horsepower: 172

There are dune buggies, and then there’s the Tatum Dragon Sand Car. And while the sleek and sinister appearance speaks volumes to what makes this particular ride special, the performance figures are what really matter. This monstrous dune devourer hosts a Chevrolet LS3 crate engine — a muscle car-worthy powerhouse capable of a blistering 650 horsepower. And that means this is less a dune buggy and more an off-road supercar. And that’s just the start of things — this beast also boasts a laundry list of standard features ranging from custom body panels, to a top-of-the-line suspension, to a custom powder coated chassis, and so much more. Displacement: 6.2L Horsepower: 650

Tatum is hardly the only name in the game when it comes to off-road supercar dune buggies, as can be seen in BuckShot Racing’s X5R. The big difference here is that the Tatum comes with just the one engine option, whereas the X5R can be equipped with one of four — boasting 510-600 horsepower — and comes with the option for turbos that will give it an output of up to 1,200 horsepower. Of course, that also comes with a much higher price tag. But that’s what you pay for blistering insanity over any terrain. Displacement: Varying Horsepower: 510-1,200

Technically speaking, the Ripsaw (and all its permutations) is not a dune buggy — it’s a luxury off-road tank. But because it was designed to handle the harshest of terrains at insanely high speeds, we’re giving it the respect it deserves as an honorable mention. Developed by Howe & Howe for military applications, these “super tanks” are heralded as the fastest dual tracked vehicles ever conceived. The two civilian options, the EV2 and EV3, are billed as completely bespoke custom builds designed not just for extreme off-road capability, but also supreme comfort and luxury. And with a range of 600-1,500 horsepower, they’re blisteringly quick, as well. Just make sure you can wait up to six months for them to fabricate yours. Displacement: Varying Horsepower: 600-1,500