Cessna 182 vs Piper Cherokee
The Cessna 182 Skylane (~140 kt, 230-235 hp, ~1,100 lb useful) and Piper Cherokee (~115-130 kt depending on variant, 140-235 hp, lower useful) are different power-class four-seaters — the 182 is the high-wing load-hauler; the Cherokee is the lower-cost trainer/touring four-seater.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2027
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 164
- Source marketplaces
- 23
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
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 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | Continental O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 186 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | Continental O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 74 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–now | Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 42 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 134 |
Piper Cherokee — 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 182 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 1 |
| Serious | 249 | 0 |
| Fatal | 529 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Piper Cherokee
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper Cherokee?
Bottom line: Choose the 182 for the larger useful load, higher cruise and high-wing utility. Choose the Cherokee for materially lower acquisition cost and the simpler, lower-power four-seat mission.
Pick the 182 if…
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 117 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 525 nm.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- Budget matters — from $59,948 vs $104,725, you save ~$44,777.
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $160/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1961 vs 1956.
- More inventory — 630 listings vs 488.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.