Cessna 172 vs Piper Arrow
The Cessna 172 (fixed-gear, ~115-120 kt) and Piper Arrow PA-28R (retractable, ~135-140 kt) are different-generation four-seaters — the 172 is fixed-gear and forgiving; the Arrow is the retractable complex-rating trainer.
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
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 71
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
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 |
Piper Arrow — 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 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Arrow |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $79,053 – $243,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 72.0 gal (273 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $145 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Piper Arrow
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Arrow?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 for fixed-gear simplicity, the largest support network and primary training. Choose the Arrow for complex-rating utility, ~15-20 kt more cruise and retractable-gear training — accepting higher acquisition cost and retractable maintenance.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $79,053, you save ~$17,490.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $145/hr.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 194.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Faster cruise — 135 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1967 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.