Piper Cherokee 160 vs Cessna 182
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Cherokee 160
- For sale now
- 9
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 2
- Source marketplaces
- 6
- Model years available
- 1961–1971
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2027
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.
Piper Cherokee 160 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 182 — 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 |
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) | Piper Cherokee 160 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2779 |
| Serious | — | 249 |
| Fatal | — | 529 |
| Fatalities | — | 1000 |
| % Fatal | — | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Cherokee 160 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,244 – $93,200 | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 4 |
| Horsepower | — | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 119 kts (220 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 474 nm (878 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,200 lbs (998 kg) | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $160 |
| Engines | — | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Cherokee 160
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Cherokee 160 or Cessna 182?
Pick the Cherokee 160 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,244 vs $104,725, you save ~$43,481.
Pick the 182 if…
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 119 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 474 nm.
- More inventory — 488 listings vs 9.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Piper Cherokee 160 or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Cherokee 160 cruises at 119 kts with 474 nm range.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $205,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Cherokee 160 and Cessna 182?
182 engine: Continental (230 hp).
Cruise: 119 vs 140 kts.
Range: 474 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 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?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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