I have got the itch...I want to buy a new firearm of some sorts. I have some funds to do it so why not.

I was thinking of getting an AK varient... but there are alot of them and alot to learn, I've been doing some research on Ak's.

Things I think I understand:
Don't buy anything IO or Riley defense
Don't buy Century built Ak's, but their Imports are good to go.
Arsenal, Saiga, Vepr are top notch but come with such a price tag.
Wasrs are hit and miss.

I can't afford a $1500 Arsenal AK, just can't I don't have that much funds laying around, plus some of the Arsenals are ugly as sin.

Things I want is something that looks Traditional, meaning wood hand gaurd. I would prefer a side folder, metal but i dont think i'll be getting that.

So my questions are this:
are AK build kits good? I saw on atlantic Firearms they have polish AK kit guns, but some people are saying stay away from. others swear up and down by polish AK's.
Are Wasrs really as bad as some people say? Canted sights and screwed up glass blocks and bad mag lock up?
I'm trying to stay under $700, but that might be hard pressed to do.



... and yes I know I know I have read probably 30 other threads about AKs around the internet but wanted to get the view point of a truthworhty community like here.