Piper Mirage vs Cessna 182
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Mirage
- For sale now
- 49
- Median asking
- $592,500
- Range
- $399,000–$977,140
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 16
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 1989–2014
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 Mirage — 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 Mirage | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2779 |
| Serious | — | 249 |
| Fatal | — | 529 |
| Fatalities | — | 1000 |
| % Fatal | — | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Mirage | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $399,000 – $977,140 | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 4 |
| Horsepower | — | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 213 kts (394 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 1,345 nm (2,491 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 4,340 lbs (1,969 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 Mirage
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 Mirage or Cessna 182?
Pick the Mirage if…
- Faster cruise — 213 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 1345 nm vs 640 nm.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $399,000, you save ~$294,275.
- More inventory — 488 listings vs 49.
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 Mirage or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Mirage cruises at 213 kts with 1,345 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?
Piper Mirage: from $749,500.
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 Mirage and Cessna 182?
182 engine: Continental (230 hp).
Cruise: 213 vs 140 kts.
Range: 1345 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