If you know cars, you’re no stranger to AMG.

In the late 1990s, Mercedes-Benz began a merger with AMG and with it came the first ever C-class performance model. In efforts to keep up with BMW’s E36 M3, they created the C36 AMG. The car was nimble and could accelerate 0-60 in 5.8 seconds with its 3.6L 6-cylinder engine, but it only matched the E36 M3 in the 0-60 straight and certainly not in the corners.

To up the ante and stay true to their heritage, AMG later fitted a 4.3L V8 in the C-class and named it the C43 AMG in 1998. This marked the first time an AMG car was completely assembled at a Mercedes-Benz factory. The new engine featured a little over 300 horsepower and weighed in at approximately 3,600lbs.

While some records indicate that the car could accelerate from 0-60 in 5.7s, we’ve found this number to be a lower 5.4s. Now you’re thinking, why do I care about this clumsy automatic sedan when I can get a clapped out E36 M3 for the same money? That’s the thing, for less money and headache you can get a very reliable C43 AMG.

Maintenance costs are relatively low for a German car, and parts are obtainable for an older car. You might have coolant and engine concerns with an E36 M3, but not here. In 20,000 miles, I’ve only done oil changes on my C43 AMG. Coming from someone who has driven both the E36 M3 and C43 AMG, from a performance perspective the buttery smooth gearbox of the M3 is great and the car is tight in corners but if you favor speed there isn’t much available. The C43 AMG will gleefully take the quarter mile in 12 seconds while the E36 M3 will do it in almost 15 seconds.

If you’re new to Mercedes-Benz and AMG classics, this is one you don’t want to miss. Get one while they’re cheap, because it won’t be long.