Cessna 172C vs Cessna 152
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172C
No active listings right now.
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 172C — 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 |
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 172C | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 49 | 2435 |
| Serious | 5 | 130 |
| Fatal | 10 | 255 |
| Fatalities | 16 | 386 |
| % Fatal | 20% | 10% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172C | Cessna 152 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $75,000 – $299,000 | $45,545 – $117,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 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) | 415 nm (769 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,700 ft (4,481 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 528 lbs (240 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 26.0 gal (98 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 6.1 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $22,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $100 |
| Engines | — | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172C
Cessna 152
Fuel$34/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 172C or Cessna 152?
It depends on your mission and budget.
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 172C: from $89,000.
Cessna 152: from $75,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172C and Cessna 152?
152 engine: Lycoming O-235 (110 hp).
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
152: about $100/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?
152: 2 seats / 528 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?
152: 2,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$22,000.
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