Cessna 172 vs Mooney 201

The Mooney M20J (Mooney 201) and Cessna 172 Skyhawk are built on entirely different engineering philosophies, and the difference is as clear as their cruise speeds: 175 kt for the M20J, 120 kt for the 172. Both are four-seat piston singles at roughly similar price points in the used market; both can legitimately be called "good all-around aircraft." The cross-shop exists because the pilot moving beyond basic training faces a fork: the affordable, forgiving Skyhawk that does everything adequately, or the more demanding, dramatically more efficient Mooney that rewards precision flying with capabilities the 172 never approaches.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Cessna 172
For sale now
421
Median asking
$134,231
Range
$61,563–$324,965
Model years available
1956–2026
Mooney 201
For sale now
57
Median asking
$139,450
Range
$96,250–$234,955
Model years available
1977–1998

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

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor sale
172 Continental 1956–1967 O-300 2300 118 520 139
172 O-320 150hp 1968–1976 O-320-E2D 2300 120 585 132
172 O-320 160hp 1977–1986 O-320-H2AD/D2J 2400 122 585 104

Mooney 201 — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor 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 172Mooney 201
All events68101
Serious5420
Fatal9600
Fatalities18020
% Fatal14%0%
View full Cessna 172 NTSB record →View full Mooney 201 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 172 Mooney 201
Cessna 172
View 164 listings →
Median $134,231
 Mooney 201
View 11 listings →
Median $139,450
Price Range $61,563 – $324,965 $96,250 – $234,955
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 4
Horsepower 145–160 HP 200 HP
Cruise Speed 118–122 kts (226 km/h) 161 kts (298 km/h)
Range 520–585 nm (1,083 km) 820 nm (1,519 km)
Service Ceiling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) 18,800 ft (5,730 m)
Max Gross Weight 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg)
Useful Load 878 lbs (398 kg) 900 lbs (408 kg)
Fuel Capacity 56.0 gal (212 L) 64.0 gal (242 L)
Fuel Burn 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) 10.0 GPH (38 L/h)
TBO 1,400 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $30,000 $30,000
Annual Fixed $18,000 $18,000
Hourly Variable $130 $140
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 172

Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $44,000/yr

Mooney 201

Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $46,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Mooney 201?

Bottom line: Choose the 172 if you fly infrequently, use your aircraft primarily for local flying or training, or value a wide support ecosystem and forgiving handling above all else. The 172's gentle stall, stable platform, and globally available maintenance make it the right first aircraft for a pilot who isn't sure of their mission yet. Choose the M20J when cross-country efficiency is the mission — 175 kt / 10 gph is genuinely exceptional performance for a piston single at any price point, and for a pilot flying 400–600 nm legs regularly, the Mooney saves meaningful time and fuel dollars per year. Safety axis: the M20J's retractable gear introduces the gear-up landing risk entirely absent in the 172. Approximately 1–2% of complex aircraft accidents involve gear-up landings, and a Mooney pilot who flies fewer than 50 hours per year or who lacks retractable-gear currency is statistically more vulnerable to this category of accident than a 172 pilot. The Mooney also has Mooney's famous landing light position as a gear-down visual confirmation.

Pick the 172 if…

  • Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $96,250, you save ~$34,687.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $140/hr.
  • More inventory — 164 listings vs 11.

Pick the 201 if…

  • Faster cruise — 161 kts vs 118 kts.
  • Longer range — 820 nm vs 518 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1956.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much faster does the Mooney M20J cruise than the Cessna 172?
At 75% power and similar altitudes, the M20J cruises at approximately 175 kt true airspeed on roughly 10 gph; the Cessna 172S cruises at approximately 120–122 kt on 8.5–9 gph. The M20J's 50+ kt speed advantage translates to roughly 25% less time in the air per trip — on a 500 nm leg, that's approximately 45 minutes saved. The Mooney accomplishes this primarily through superior aerodynamic efficiency, not dramatically more power (both aircraft use 200 hp or less).
Does the Mooney M20J have a good accident record?
The Mooney M20 family's overall accident record is broadly comparable to similar high-performance retractable singles, with the characteristic retractable-gear accident category applying. Mooneys are sometimes cited in stall/spin studies as having sharp (though predictable) stall characteristics compared to the 172's very gentle stall. Proper Mooney-specific training with a CFII experienced in the type addresses these characteristics; pilots who transition without adequate type-specific training account for a disproportionate share of Mooney incidents.
Is the Mooney M20J significantly harder to land than the 172?
Yes, particularly in crosswinds. The Mooney's narrow landing gear, low-wing position, and aerodynamically efficient design combine to produce an approach that is faster, flatter, and less forgiving in flare timing than the 172. Mooneys also float noticeably in ground effect — a characteristic that catches 172-trained pilots by surprise. Checkout programs specifically address the Mooney's landing characteristics, and currency in crosswind landings is important for Mooney owners who don't fly frequently.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Mooney 201?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range. The 201 cruises at 161 kts with 820 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Mooney 201?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp). 201 engine: Lycoming O-320 (200 hp). Cruise: 118 vs 161 kts. Range: 518 vs 820 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/hr variable cost. 201: about $140/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. 201: 4 seats / 900 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. 201: 2,000-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