Cessna 172S vs Piper Saratoga
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172S
- For sale now
- 33
- Median asking
- $325,000
- Range
- $103,400–$589,500
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 10
- Source marketplaces
- 6
- Model years available
- 1977–2028
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 172S — 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 172S | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 410 | 1 |
| Serious | 16 | 0 |
| Fatal | 45 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 80 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 11% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172S | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $103,400 – $589,500 | $115,250 – $495,525 |
| 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) | 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 | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 102.0 gal (386 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $170 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172S
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Piper Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172S or Piper Saratoga?
Pick the 172S if…
- Budget matters — from $103,400 vs $115,250, you save ~$11,850.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $170/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1998 vs 1980.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 124 kts.
- Longer range — 950 nm vs 518 nm.
- More inventory — 171 listings vs 34.
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 172S or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172S cruises at 124 kts with 518 nm range.
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 172S: from $310,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172S and Piper Saratoga?
172S engine: IO-360-L2A (180 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 124 vs 163 kts.
Range: 518 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172S: about $130/hr variable cost.
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?
172S: 4 seats / 878 lb 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?
172S: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
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