I've never cared for the .223 but
I have never cared for the .223 but if I were going to add one of the afore-mentioned guns to my collection, I would definitely go with the Mini-14. It costs more but it's a damn fine rifle.
My dad and a couple of friends have Mini-14s that I have put a few hundred rounds through. They are an excellent gun. Very accurate and very nicely made. Never a moments trouble with these guns.
I've only shot a Saiga once or twice and I just didn't like the looks or the feel of it. Sure, it's a cheaper gun but it's ugly and its not near as well built or as accurate as the Mini-14.
There is also a Mini-30 that you might want to take a look at. I don't know what they cost but I shot one of them a couple of times and it was a well built, fairly accurate gun also. It is not a .223 however. It shoots the good old 7.62x39 cartridge.
See if there is a range near you that rents them out or ask your buddies if they have one and try them both first. I'd rather pay a little extra for an excellent gun than save a couple hundred and have a mediocre, ugly gun that is not all that accurate nor well made.
My 2 cents. I'm sure others will see things differently.
Get what makes you happy. That's all that matters. When it doesn't make you happy any more, sell it and get something else. (I'm talking about guns here, not your wives fellas
)
Molon Labe,
Joe