Cessna 185F vs Cessna 172
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 185F
- For sale now
- 13
- Median asking
- $297,250
- Range
- $200,725–$449,725
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 1973–1981
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2028
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 185F — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 172 — 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 |
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 185F | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 106 | 6810 |
| Serious | 6 | 542 |
| Fatal | 8 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 13 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 8% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 185F | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $200,725 – $449,725 | $61,563 – $324,965 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 145–180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 15.5 GPH (59 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 185F
Fuel$85/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Cessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 185F or Cessna 172?
Pick the 185F if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 145 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1973 vs 1956.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $200,725, you save ~$139,162.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $175/hr.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 14.
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 185F or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 185F cruises at 145 kts with 720 nm range.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 185F: from $249,000.
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 185F and Cessna 172?
172 engine: Continental (180 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 145 vs 118 kts.
Range: 720 vs 518 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
185F: about $175/hr variable cost.
172: about $130/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?
185F: 6 seats / 1,440 lb useful load.
172: 4 seats / 878 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?
185F: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
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