Cessna 150 vs Piper Cherokee
The Piper Cherokee 140 (four-seat low-wing trainer, 140-150 hp, ~108 kt) and Cessna 150 (two-seat fixed-gear trainer, 100 hp, ~90 kt) are different-class aircraft — the Cherokee 140 is a four-seat trainer that can carry a real family load; the 150 is a primary two-seat trainer.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 136
- Median asking
- $53,250
- Range
- $32,955–$91,808
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 34
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1959–1978
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 164
- Source marketplaces
- 23
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Generations Breakdown
Per-generation specs — engine/weight/performance differ materially across production eras.
Per-era “For sale” counts exclude listings with unspecified year and separate variants (RG retractable, Hawk XP), so they may not sum to the total above.
Cessna 150 — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
Piper Cherokee — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Cessna 150 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3241 | 1 |
| Serious | 351 | 0 |
| Fatal | 427 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 611 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 13% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $32,955 – $91,808 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 26.0 gal (98 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $25,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $15,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $100 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150
Piper Cherokee
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150 or Piper Cherokee?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 150/152 for primary training and the cheapest two-seat fun-flyer. Choose the Cherokee 140 for a real four-seat low-wing platform, training utility and the broader mission flexibility — at higher acquisition cost but a much more useful airplane.
Pick the 150 if…
- Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $59,948, you save ~$26,993.
- Lower operating cost — ~$100/hr vs $120/hr.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 117 kts vs 97 kts.
- Longer range — 525 nm vs 420 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1961 vs 1959.
- More inventory — 630 listings vs 140.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.