Cessna 172 vs Piper Warrior vs Cessna 152
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 Warrior
- For sale now
- 72
- Median asking
- $89,250
- Range
- $69,514–$170,850
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 14
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1973–2005
Cessna 152
- For sale now
- 59
- Median asking
- $70,000
- Range
- $45,545–$117,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 19
- Source marketplaces
- 11
- Model years available
- 1977–1983
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 Warrior — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 152 — 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 Warrior | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — | 2435 |
| Serious | 542 | — | 130 |
| Fatal | 960 | — | 255 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — | 386 |
| % Fatal | 14% | — | 10% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Warrior | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $69,514 – $170,850 | $45,545 – $117,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 4 | — | 2 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | — | 110 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | — | 100 kts (185 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 415 nm (769 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | — | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,440 lbs (1,107 kg) | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | — | 528 lbs (240 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — | 26.0 gal (98 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | — | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | — | 2,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | — | $22,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | — | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | — | $100 |
| Engines | 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 Warrior
Cessna 152
Fuel$34/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 172 if…
- Most seats — 4
- Fastest cruise — 118 kts
- Most listings for sale — 428
Pick the Warrior if…
- Longest range — 640 nm
Pick the 152 if…
- Lowest entry price — from $45,545
- Lowest operating cost — about $100/hr
- Newest design — built from 1977
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 Warrior or Cessna 152?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The 152 cruises at 100 kts with 415 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Piper Warrior: from $78,000.
Cessna 152: from $75,000.
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