I won't comment on prices. Look at Edmund's or Kelly's Blue Book on the net. The C36 is a great buy. My car has been fairly reliable and if the ones you are looking at are still under warranty you shouldn't worry that much. No major problems in my car. My major gripe is the horrible 4 speed auto transmission. I haven't driven a C43 but it won't embarrass a C36 in a drag race. Every magazine article I have read so far has the C43 about the same or slower to the 1/4 mile than the C36. A C43 should be more responsive due to their flatter torque curve. I have no traction control in my car. It does have enough power to do a good burnout without having to put bleach on the tires!!! 155mph top speed is for real. I tested mine all the way up to an indicated 160mph. Tachometer was touching redline mark. I don't know about that top speed governor! I installed 16" wheels for city driving. If the roads are bad where you live you will eventually get tired of fixing/replacing wheels and tires. A C36/43 is as close as you will get to an M3 with all the quality and reliability of a Mercedes.