Cessna 182E vs Diamond DA42
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182E
- For sale now
- 6
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 1
- Model years available
- 1961–1962
Diamond DA42
- For sale now
- 46
- Median asking
- $699,900
- Range
- $520,774–$1,100,160
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 20
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 2005–2026
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 182E — 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 |
Diamond DA42 — 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 182E | Diamond DA42 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 74 | 7 |
| Serious | 5 | 1 |
| Fatal | 16 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 32 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 22% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182E | Diamond DA42 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $69,000 – $287,500 | $520,774 – $1,100,160 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 170 kts (315 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 1,050 nm (1,945 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 3,935 lbs (1,785 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 940 lbs (426 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $150 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 2 x Diesel |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182E
Fuel$66/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Diamond DA42
Fuel$66/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$50,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182E or Diamond DA42?
Pick the 182E if…
- Budget matters — from $69,000 vs $520,774, you save ~$451,774.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $150/hr.
Pick the DA42 if…
- Faster cruise — 170 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 1050 nm vs 915 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2004 vs 1965.
- More inventory — 44 listings vs 6.
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 182E or Diamond DA42?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182E cruises at 140 kts with 915 nm range.
The DA42 cruises at 170 kts with 1,050 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182E: from $156,000.
Diamond DA42: from $568,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182E and Diamond DA42?
Cruise: 140 vs 170 kts.
Range: 915 vs 1050 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182E: about $130/hr variable cost.
DA42: about $150/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?
182E: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
DA42: 4 seats / 940 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?
182E: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
DA42: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000.
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