Vans RV-9A vs Cessna 172
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Vans RV-9A
- For sale now
- 10
- Median asking
- $152,000
- Range
- $121,750–$252,499
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 2
- Source marketplaces
- 4
- Model years available
- 2007–2026
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 112
- Source marketplaces
- 19
- Model years available
- 1956–2028
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.
Vans RV-9A — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 172 — 5 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | Continental O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 107 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | Lycoming O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 105 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | Lycoming O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 89 |
| 172R | 1996–2007 | IO-360-L2A | 2450 | 120 | 520 | 19 |
| 172S | 1998–now | IO-360-L2A | 2550 | 124 | 518 | 40 |
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) | Vans RV-9A | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | 6810 |
| Serious | 0 | 542 |
| Fatal | 1 | 960 |
| Fatalities | 1 | 1802 |
| % Fatal | 100% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Vans RV-9A | Cessna 172 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $121,750 – $252,499 | $61,563 – $324,965 |
| Category | Experimental | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | 4 |
| Horsepower | — | 145–180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 160 kts (296 km/h) | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | — | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) |
| Service Ceiling | — | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) |
| Useful Load | — | 878 lbs (398 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 56.0 gal (212 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,400 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $10,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $85 | $130 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateVans RV-9A
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$85/hr
Annual Fixed$10,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$27,000/yr
Cessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Vans RV-9A or Cessna 172?
Pick the RV-9A if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$85/hr vs $130/hr.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 118 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1995 vs 1956.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $121,750, you save ~$60,187.
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 10.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Vans RV-9A or Cessna 172?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The RV-9A cruises at 160 kts.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Vans RV-9A: from $130,000.
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Vans RV-9A and Cessna 172?
172 engine: Continental (180 hp).
Seats: 2 vs 4.
Cruise: 160 vs 118 kts.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
RV-9A: about $85/hr variable cost.
172: about $130/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?
RV-9A: 2 seats.
172: 4 seats / 878 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?
RV-9A: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$20,000.
172: 1,400-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
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