Cessna 182 vs Piper Saratoga vs Beechcraft Bonanza
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182
- 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
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
Beechcraft Bonanza
- For sale now
- 5
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 2
- Source marketplaces
- 3
- Model years available
- 1947–1972
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 Saratoga — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Beechcraft Bonanza — 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 Saratoga | Beechcraft Bonanza |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 1 | — |
| Serious | 249 | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Saratoga | Beechcraft Bonanza |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $115,250 – $495,525 | $56,320 – $270,500 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 4 | 6 | — |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 300 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) | — |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) | — |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 102.0 gal (386 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) | — |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $32,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $20,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $170 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston | — |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Piper Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Beechcraft Bonanza
Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 182 if…
- Lowest operating cost — about $160/hr
- Most listings for sale — 488
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Most seats — 6
- Fastest cruise — 163 kts
- Longest range — 950 nm
- Newest design — built from 1980
Pick the Bonanza if…
- Lowest entry price — from $56,320
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 182, Piper Saratoga or Beechcraft Bonanza?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 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 182: from $205,000.
Beechcraft Bonanza: from $95,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
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