Cessna 172S vs Vans RV-9
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
Vans RV-9
- For sale now
- 3
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 2004–2004
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 |
Vans RV-9 — 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 | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 410 | 1 |
| Serious | 16 | 0 |
| Fatal | 45 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 80 | 1 |
| % Fatal | 11% | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172S | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $103,400 – $589,500 | $142,264 – $193,650 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Experimental |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 160 kts (296 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $20,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $10,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $85 |
| 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
Vans RV-9
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$85/hr
Annual Fixed$10,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$27,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172S or Vans RV-9?
Pick the 172S if…
- Budget matters — from $103,400 vs $142,264, you save ~$38,864.
- More seats — 4 vs 1.
- Newer design — production from 1998 vs 1997.
- More inventory — 34 listings vs 3.
Pick the RV-9 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$85/hr vs $130/hr.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 124 kts.
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 Vans RV-9?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172S cruises at 124 kts with 518 nm range.
The RV-9 cruises at 160 kts.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172S: from $310,000.
Vans RV-9: from $150,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172S and Vans RV-9?
172S engine: IO-360-L2A (180 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 1.
Cruise: 124 vs 160 kts.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172S: about $130/hr variable cost.
RV-9: about $85/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.
RV-9: 1 seats.
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.
RV-9: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$20,000.
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