Piper Vagabond vs Cessna 150
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Vagabond
- For sale now
- 1
- Source marketplaces
- 1
- Model years available
- 1948–1948
Cessna 150
- For sale now
- 136
- Median asking
- $53,250
- Range
- $32,955–$91,808
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 34
- Source marketplaces
- 13
- Model years available
- 1959–1978
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 Vagabond — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 150 — 1 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
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 Vagabond | Cessna 150 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 3241 |
| Serious | — | 351 |
| Fatal | — | 427 |
| Fatalities | — | 611 |
| % Fatal | — | 13% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Vagabond | Cessna 150 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $52,500 | $32,955 – $91,808 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 100 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 78 kts (144 km/h) | 97 kts (180 km/h) |
| Range | 220 nm (407 km) | 420 nm (778 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,100 lbs (499 kg) | 1,600 lbs (726 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 530 lbs (240 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 26.0 gal (98 L) |
| Fuel Burn | — | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $15,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $100 |
| Engines | — | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Vagabond
Cessna 150
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$100/hr
Annual Fixed$15,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$35,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Vagabond or Cessna 150?
Pick the Vagabond if…
Pick the 150 if…
- Budget matters — from $32,955 vs $52,500, you save ~$19,545.
- Faster cruise — 97 kts vs 78 kts.
- Longer range — 420 nm vs 220 nm.
- More inventory — 140 listings vs 1.
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 Vagabond or Cessna 150?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Vagabond cruises at 78 kts with 220 nm range.
The 150 cruises at 97 kts with 420 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Vagabond: from $52,500.
Cessna 150: from $56,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Vagabond and Cessna 150?
150 engine: Continental O-200 (100 hp).
Cruise: 78 vs 97 kts.
Range: 220 vs 420 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
150: about $100/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?
150: 2 seats / 530 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?
150: 1,800-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