Cessna 185 vs Cessna 180
The Cessna 177 Cardinal (tricycle gear, four-seat touring, ~135 kt) and Cessna 180/185 Skywagon (tailwheel, four-to-six-seat utility, ~140-145 kt) are different-mission aircraft despite overlapping cruise — the Cardinal is the touring four-seater; the 180/185 are bush/utility tailwheels.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 70
- Median asking
- $280,000
- Range
- $189,000–$429,900
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 24
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1961–1985
- For sale now
- 50
- Median asking
- $180,000
- Range
- $121,500–$304,430
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 8
- Source marketplaces
- 9
- Model years available
- 1953–1981
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
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 185 | Cessna 180 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 476 | 1114 |
| Serious | 23 | 51 |
| Fatal | 43 | 87 |
| Fatalities | 93 | 166 |
| % Fatal | 9% | 8% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 185 | Cessna 180 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $189,000 – $429,900 | $121,500 – $304,430 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 230 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 140 kts (259 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 700 nm (1,296 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,150 ft (5,227 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) | 2,650 lbs (1,202 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | 1,400 lbs (635 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 84.0 gal (318 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 15.5 GPH (59 L/h) | 12.0 GPH (45 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | $155 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Reciprocating |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 185
Cessna 180
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 185 or Cessna 180?
Bottom line: Choose the Cardinal for the modern Cessna touring four-seater with tricycle gear. Choose the 180/185 for backcountry/utility work — tailwheel, big engines (185 is 300 hp Continental IO-520), useful load and the iconic bush-flying Cessna character.
Pick the 185 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 145 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 700 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1961 vs 1953.
- More inventory — 68 listings vs 50.
Pick the 180 if…
- Budget matters — from $121,500 vs $189,000, you save ~$67,500.
- Lower operating cost — ~$155/hr vs $175/hr.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.