By Gerhard Horn
When it comes to luxury performance, few badges hold the weight of AMG. Originally known as Aufrecht, Melcher, and Grossaspach, the independent tuner has a long history of increasing the performance of all kinds, but Mercedes-Benz was always its muse. This love affair was strengthened in 1999, when Daimler Benz took a controlling interest, and then finally solidified in 2005 when it was fully absorbed by the brand, ensuring only Mercedes models would ever wear the AMG badge from that point after.
The luxury machines that have been created from this marriage are, to put it plainly, incredible. They're forces of nature, bold, sometimes brash, but also beautiful and luxurious. The brand essentially perfected the German muscle car that can actually handle, and it's unfortunate to see the direction the company has taken models in recent years. However, not all is lost because you can find plenty of used options out there, and as this list shows, some are downright cheap.
Note
We've compiled a list of some of the cheapest AMG models you can purchase in 2026, using the CarBuzz Marketplace as a reference, and then arranged them from most expensive to least expensive. Prices have been rounded to the nearest $500 and mileage to the nearest 1,000 miles.
2008-2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Average Price: $22,000
- Price Range: $17,500 – $26,500
- Mileage Range: 73,000 – 133,000 miles
We're starting strong right out of the gate with the W204-generation C63 AMG, one of the most thrilling compact sedans ever built by Mercedes-Benz. That's a bold claim, but ask just about anyone who's driven one, and they'll extoll the virtues of the car's handsome design, well-balanced chassis, and most importantly, its incredible 6.2-liter naturally aspirated AMG V8.
The M156 makes an incredible 451 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, rather impressive numbers for 2008, and that power is strictly to the rear wheels thanks to a 7-speed automatic. While the RWD does hamper grip, the C63 will still shoot to 60 mph in a little over four seconds, and paired with the comfortable interior, the only thing this car is likely to make you upset about is your gas mileage.
2014-2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
Average Price: $19,000
- Price Range: $16,500 – $21,500
- Mileage Range: 67,000 – 95,000 miles
If you've always wished Mercedes would build a hot hatch for America, well, they kind of did. It arrived in 2014 by the name of the GLA45 AMG, and it was essentially a more accurate representation of what the lifted GLA truly was as it sat 1.8 inches lower than the regular model. Paired with an aggressive body kit that added racing canards and even a gaudy rear wing, it was the rebellious teenager of the Mercedes family, and it was an absolute blast to drive.
The turbocharged M133 2.0-liter four-cylinder produced a healthy 355 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, which was sent through a 7-speed DCT mainly to the front wheels, but up to 50 percent of the power could be sent to the rear, too, if the situation called for it. It had a firm ride, but it cornered well and begged to be pushed hard. While it isn't going to elicit a thumbs-up from every Mercedes driver, we think it's one of the coolest Mercedes has made in the last 20 years.
2014-2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG
Average Price: $19,000
- Price Range: $16,500 – $21,500
- Mileage Range: 70,000 – 118,000 miles
With the GLA coming in second, it should be no surprise that the CLA is right there with it. If you know anything about these vehicles, you know that they're very, very similar, with the same engine, transmission, and AWD setups. You're still working at 355 horsepower, and the ride is once again going to be a bit stiff but perfect for carving up a back road as body lean is nearly imperceptible.
The interior is nice, if not a bit dated, and while it was always cause for criticism that's been fixed on the newer CLA45 AMG, we feel that on a used model, it isn't nearly as bad. This model also isn't as in-your-face as the GLA, so it could be better if you're trying to fly under the radar (until they hear your exhaust note).
2004-2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
Average Price: $18,500
- Price Range: $17,500 – $19,500
- Mileage Range: 87,000 – 111,000 miles
Now, we're going a bit old school, but if you can get behind the styling, you could have the ultimate luxury GT. The 2004 CLS55 AMG was the brand's answer to the growing number of people who wanted something sleeker than a sedan but still wanted the functionality of four doors. It had nearly the same performance as the E55, courtesy of the same 5.4-liter supercharged V8 that made a romping 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, which it sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a five-speed automatic.
Despite its size, it could shoot to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and it could cruise comfortably at triple digits for long periods. This is what it was great at, not being thrown into a turn like the contemporary M5, and if that's what you're looking for, the car's comfortable suspension setup and seats will easily soak up the miles.
2006-2009 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
Average Price: $17,750
- Price Range: $14,000 – $21,500
- Mileage Range: 82,000 – 114,000 miles
Not all AMG models make sense. Does the brand's largest, most luxurious sedan truly need thrill-seeking performance? No, but that hasn't stopped the company from delivering stupefying levels of performance in the S-Class over the years, and we don't see them stopping anytime soon.
Back in the late 2000s, this meant shoving a 515-horsepower version of the brand's NA 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, retuning the suspension, adding better tires, some drive modes, and more to give the biggest Merc new levels of anger. The result was an unbelievably comfortable car called the S63 that could hustle surprisingly well, and now it can be yours for pretty cheap, thanks to the magical phenomenon of depreciation.
Sources: Mercedes-Benz
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
