Cessna 172 vs Diamond DA40
The Cessna 150/152 (two-seat trainer) / 172 (four-seat trainer) / 182 (four-seat hauler) and Diamond DA40 (four-seat composite, ~150 kt, factory G1000 NXi) are different generations of training/touring singles — the Cessnas are the aluminium classics; the DA40 is the modern composite.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2028
- 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 172 — 5 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | Continental O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 107 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 89 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | IO-360-L2A | 2450 | 120 | 520 | 19 |
| 172S | 1998–now | IO-360-L2A | 2550 | 124 | 518 | 40 |
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 172 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 10 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 3 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 5 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 30% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $184,562 – $670,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Diamond DA40
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Diamond DA40?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna for the largest support network, proven aluminium economics and the cheapest entry. Choose the DA40 for modern composite construction, factory Garmin G1000 NXi, benign handling and the youngest active fleet — when modern features and Garmin glass are worth the higher acquisition cost.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $184,562, you save ~$122,999.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 81.
Pick the DA40 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $130/hr.
- Faster cruise — 135 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 635 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.