Beechcraft Bonanza 36 vs Cessna 182
The Beechcraft Bonanza (33 or 36) and Cessna 182 Skylane are different-class cross-country singles — the Bonanza is the retractable high-performance Beechcraft (~170-176 kt); the 182 is the fixed-gear high-wing hauler (~140 kt).
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Beechcraft Bonanza 36
- For sale now
- 208
- Median asking
- $399,000
- Range
- $229,000–$875,000
- Model years available
- 1968–2026
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
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.
Beechcraft Bonanza 36 — 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 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 216 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 86 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 50 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 165 |
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) | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2779 |
| Serious | — | 249 |
| Fatal | — | 529 |
| Fatalities | — | 1000 |
| % Fatal | — | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $229,000 – $875,000 | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 168 kts (311 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 697 nm (1,291 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,245 lbs (565 kg) | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $195 | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza 36
Fuel$77/hr
Variable$195/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$61,000/yr
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Cessna 182?
Bottom line: Choose the Bonanza for higher cruise, the iconic Beechcraft cabin and high- performance handling. Choose the 182 for fixed-gear simplicity, much larger useful load, high-wing visibility and dramatically lower acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the Bonanza 36 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 168 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 697 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1968 vs 1956.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $229,000, you save ~$124,275.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $195/hr.
- More inventory — 106 listings vs 14.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the Beechcraft Bonanza 36 and Cessna 182?
Class and complexity. The Bonanza 36 (straight-tail) is a six-seat retractable-gear high-performance single, powered by the Continental IO-550-B (300 hp), cruising approximately 174 kt. The Cessna 182 Skylane is a four-seat fixed-gear touring aircraft with 230 hp and approximately 140 kt cruise — simpler, lower-cost, and more forgiving. The Bonanza 36 is faster, carries more, and costs more to own; the 182 is the practical choice for budget-conscious four-seat touring.
Bonanza 36 or Cessna 182 — which should I buy?
Buy the Bonanza 36 if six seats are genuinely needed, the speed (174 kt vs 140 kt) meaningfully changes your travel time, and the retractable-gear checkout and higher operating costs are acceptable. Buy the 182 if four seats are sufficient, simplicity and lower operating cost matter, and fixed-gear ownership suits your experience level. The 182 is a significantly more accessible aircraft; the Bonanza 36 earns its premium through capacity and speed.
How do useful load and cabin compare?
The Bonanza 36 carries six occupants in a cabin wider and longer than the 182. The 182's four seats are adequate for families; the Bonanza's six seats and club-seating option are tangible for regular group travel. If you routinely fly five or six people, the Bonanza 36 is the correct aircraft — the 182 simply cannot fill that role.
How do specs compare?
Bonanza 36: Continental IO-550-B (~300 hp), six seats, retractable gear, ~174 kt cruise, ~900 nm range. Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~140 kt cruise, ~900 nm range.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 182 is meaningfully less expensive — fixed gear eliminates gear-system maintenance, the 230-hp IO-540 has lower overhaul cost than the IO-550-B, and the 182's simpler systems mean lower annual costs. The Bonanza 36 earns its higher operating cost through speed and capacity; for owner-pilots whose missions are within the 182's envelope, the cost difference is hard to justify.
Which should I buy?
182 for four-seat touring on a practical budget — it is one of the most supported and capable fixed-gear singles ever built. Bonanza 36 when five or six seats, retractable-gear speed, or IO-550 performance is the genuine mission requirement. Many buyers who consider a Bonanza 36 end up flying with one or two aboard — in that scenario the 182 is the smarter economic choice.
Which is better, Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Bonanza 36 cruises at 168 kts with 697 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?
Beechcraft Bonanza 36: from $429,000.
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft Bonanza 36 and Cessna 182?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 168 vs 140 kts.
Range: 697 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Bonanza 36: about $195/hr variable cost.
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?
Bonanza 36: 6 seats / 1,245 lb 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?
Bonanza 36: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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