Cessna 172 vs Mooney 231
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 584
- Median asking
- $129,925
- Range
- $57,146–$310,665
- Model years available
- 1951–2026
Mooney 231
- For sale now
- 58
- Median asking
- $165,000
- Range
- $99,500–$239,720
- Model years available
- 1978–1997
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.
Cessna 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 152 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 147 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 112 |
Mooney 231 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
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) | Cessna 172 | Mooney 231 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 3 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Mooney 231 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $57,146 – $310,665 | $99,500 – $239,720 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | — |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 210 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 191 kts (354 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 981 nm (1,817 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 24,000 ft (7,315 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 13.3 GPH (50 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Mooney 231
Fuel$73/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Mooney 231?
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $57,146 vs $99,500, you save ~$42,354.
- More inventory — 173 listings vs 8.
Pick the 231 if…
- Faster cruise — 191 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 981 nm vs 518 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Mooney 231?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The 231 cruises at 191 kts with 981 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $99,500.
Mooney 231: from $199,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Mooney 231?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
231 engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB;TSIO-360-LB (210 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 191 kts.
Range: 518 vs 981 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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?
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?
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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data