They were $220ish w-sale when they were still actively imported, and conversion cost obviously varies with your own skills and parts choices. In oem form, but scoped, mine turned 2moa on freaking Wolf hp, so it'll run anything.

Right now, at that price, the WASR3 coming '8/15' to aimsurplus is a better deal. Assuming it just needs a new RSA fcg and has the same Bulgy bbl as the SAR3.

I paid 300 or so for mine.  but consider the fact that they may never come back.  If I had the money I would by it, or look on Gunbroker.

A 5.56 chrome lined semi-auto AK that will do 2MOA with wolf for $350 is still a steal if you compare it to the next gun up, a stock Mini-14 for $450

It's still the best deal in semi 5.56

And the WASR 223 is not near the quality of gun that the saiga is.  The WASR is very rough and is almost a hack job in my opinion.  And there is also the issue of reliable mags.  There is no standard 223 AK mag pattern, so finding reliable mags is a crap shoot.  The WASR uses a modified 5.45 mag, but it has mixed reviews. They tend to jam.  I personally would take a stock Saiga 223 over the WASR

The 223 saiga can be adapted to take 223 East German Wegier mags.  These mags were originally designed to feed 223, and work fine once they are modified to lock up in the rifle.  See the sticky thread by Noah for instructions on how to adapt the mag.  It's not that hard.