Cessna 210L vs Piper Malibu
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 210L
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $254,950
- Range
- $167,760–$356,415
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 3
- Model years available
- 1972–1976
Piper Malibu
- For sale now
- 281
- Median asking
- $950,000
- Range
- $417,000–$3,032,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 103
- Source marketplaces
- 18
- Model years available
- 1984–2026
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 210L — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | Continental IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 24 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | Continental IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 43 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | Continental TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 57 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | Continental TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 53 |
Piper Malibu — 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 210L | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 136 | — |
| Serious | 14 | — |
| Fatal | 31 | — |
| Fatalities | 62 | — |
| % Fatal | 23% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 210L | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $167,760 – $356,415 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 260–325 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) | 198 kts (367 km/h) |
| Range | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 210L
Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Piper Malibu
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$60,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210L or Piper Malibu?
Pick the 210L if…
- Budget matters — from $167,760 vs $417,000, you save ~$249,240.
- Lower operating cost — ~$175/hr vs $190/hr.
Pick the Malibu if…
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 164 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 900 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1972.
- More inventory — 271 listings vs 11.
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 210L or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 210L cruises at 164 kts with 900 nm range.
The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 210L: from $319,000.
Piper Malibu: from $299,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 210L and Piper Malibu?
Cruise: 164 vs 198 kts.
Range: 900 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210L: about $175/hr variable cost.
Malibu: about $190/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?
210L: 6 seats / 1,310 lb useful load.
Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 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?
210L: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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