Cessna R182 vs Diamond DA40
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna R182
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $184,975
- Range
- $122,411–$233,470
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 5
- Source marketplaces
- 4
- Model years available
- 1978–1981
Diamond DA40
- For sale now
- 85
- Median asking
- $424,858
- Range
- $184,562–$670,700
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 39
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 2000–2026
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 R182 — 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 DA40 — 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 R182 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 137 | 10 |
| Serious | 4 | 0 |
| Fatal | 29 | 3 |
| Fatalities | 62 | 5 |
| % Fatal | 21% | 30% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna R182 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $122,411 – $233,470 | $184,562 – $670,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,500 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna R182
Diamond DA40
Fuel$52/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna R182 or Diamond DA40?
Pick the R182 if…
- Budget matters — from $122,411 vs $184,562, you save ~$62,151.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 915 nm vs 635 nm.
Pick the DA40 if…
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1978.
- More inventory — 81 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 R182 or Diamond DA40?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The R182 cruises at 140 kts with 915 nm range.
The DA40 cruises at 135 kts with 635 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna R182: from $115,274.
Diamond DA40: from $580,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna R182 and Diamond DA40?
Cruise: 140 vs 135 kts.
Range: 915 vs 635 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
DA40: about $120/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?
R182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
DA40: 4 seats / 780 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?
R182: 1,500-hour TBO.
DA40: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$25,000.
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