Cessna 172 vs Piper Cherokee vs Diamond DA40
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172
- 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
Piper Cherokee
- 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
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 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 Cherokee — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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 | Piper Cherokee | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 1 | 10 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 0 | 3 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 0 | 5 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 0% | 30% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Cherokee | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $59,948 – $277,250 | $184,562 – $670,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 150 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 525 nm (972 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $16,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $120 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Piper Cherokee
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Diamond DA40
Fuel$52/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 172 if…
The balanced middle choice — no single category standout, but competitive on price, capability and running costs.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- Lowest entry price — from $59,948
- Most listings for sale — 630
Pick the DA40 if…
- Fastest cruise — 135 kts
- Longest range — 635 nm
- Newest design — built from 2000
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 172, Piper Cherokee or Diamond DA40?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 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 172: from $72,000.
Piper Cherokee: from $58,000.
Diamond DA40: from $580,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
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