God, if only those prices were true...
Common AK varients? You can buy anything from a WASR to an Arsenal/Krebs.
Best bet is to split the difference and buy a Saiga, either one that you convert yourself or the nice $500 preconverted one that K-VAR is selling. The Saiga is a made in Russia Kalashnikov, but in a "sporter/hunter" configuration. It's up to you or somebody you pay to make it look like an AK. They are high quality.
Any of them will serve you well. Most have a crappy finish, but it's an AK, so don't sweat the small stuff.