Cessna 150E vs Diamond DA40
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 150E
- For sale now
- 1
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 1
- Model years available
- 1965–1965
Diamond DA40
- For sale now
- 85
- Median asking
- $424,858
- Range
- $184,562–$670,700
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 39
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 2000–2026
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 150E — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
Diamond DA40 — 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 150E | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 66 | 10 |
| Serious | 7 | 0 |
| Fatal | 9 | 3 |
| Fatalities | 12 | 5 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 30% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 150E | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $72,000 | $184,562 – $670,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 100 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 97 kts (180 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 420 nm (778 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 530 lbs (240 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,800 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 150E
Diamond DA40
Fuel$52/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 150E or Diamond DA40?
Pick the 150E if…
- Budget matters — from $72,000 vs $184,562, you save ~$112,562.
Pick the DA40 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 135 kts vs 97 kts.
- Longer range — 635 nm vs 420 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1963.
- More inventory — 81 listings vs 1.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 150E or Diamond DA40?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 150E cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range.
The DA40 cruises at 135 kts with 635 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 150E: from $72,000.
Diamond DA40: from $580,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 150E and Diamond DA40?
150E engine: Continental O-200 (100 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 97 vs 135 kts.
Range: 420 vs 635 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
DA40: about $120/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
150E: 2 seats / 530 lb useful load.
DA40: 4 seats / 780 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
150E: 1,800-hour TBO.
DA40: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data