Cessna 172L vs Cessna 185
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172L
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $112,475
- Range
- $83,229–$168,650
- Source marketplaces
- 6
- Model years available
- 1970–1973
Cessna 185
- For sale now
- 70
- Median asking
- $280,000
- Range
- $189,000–$429,900
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 24
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1961–1985
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 172L — 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 185 — 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 172L | Cessna 185 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 162 | 476 |
| Serious | 13 | 23 |
| Fatal | 26 | 43 |
| Fatalities | 45 | 93 |
| % Fatal | 16% | 9% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172L | Cessna 185 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $83,229 – $168,650 | $189,000 – $429,900 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 145 kts (269 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 17,150 ft (5,227 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 84.0 gal (318 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 15.5 GPH (59 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172L
Cessna 185
Fuel$85/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172L or Cessna 185?
Pick the 172L if…
- Budget matters — from $83,229 vs $189,000, you save ~$105,771.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1961.
Pick the 185 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 145 kts vs 122 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 640 nm.
- More inventory — 68 listings vs 11.
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 172L or Cessna 185?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172L cruises at 122 kts with 640 nm range.
The 185 cruises at 145 kts with 720 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172L: from $156,000.
Cessna 185: from $216,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172L and Cessna 185?
185 engine: Continental IO-470-F (300 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 122 vs 145 kts.
Range: 640 vs 720 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
185: about $175/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?
172L: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
185: 6 seats / 1,440 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?
172L: 2,000-hour TBO.
185: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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