Cessna 172E vs Piper Saratoga
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172E
No active listings right now.
Piper Saratoga
- For sale now
- 170
- Median asking
- $226,400
- Range
- $115,250–$495,525
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 64
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1965–2007
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 172E — 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 Saratoga — 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 172E | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 100 | 1 |
| Serious | 9 | 0 |
| Fatal | 11 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 18 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 11% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172E | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $29,950 – $110,000 | $115,250 – $495,525 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 6 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 102.0 gal (386 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $170 |
| Engines | — | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172E
Piper Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 172E or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172E: from $79,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172E and Piper Saratoga?
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Saratoga: about $170/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?
Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 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?
Saratoga: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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