Thats the "street legal" part - I have no friends in the trail world, nor any close trails, nor do I wish to pay the entry fee into that world (I'm sure its a good time though.)
I cannot take any of my children with me on a motorcycle (Well done sidecars are too pricey), but I can roll to soccer practice in a buggy...
If safety were that big a deal, I wouldnt have a motorcycle in the first place
But when its so easy to get a collapseable steering column, or fit a newer VW front end (with u joints), and the buggys is slim on bumpers in the first place...its the appearance that gets me.
My impression is that most dune buggies are aircooled VW's on a different frame - the cost of maintenance can't be that high (esp. if 'factory original' was thrown out the door a long time ago).
-John