Cessna 172 vs Piper Cherokee vs Grumman AA-5B Tiger
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
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
Piper Cherokee
- For sale now
- 602
- Median asking
- $116,400
- Range
- $59,948–$277,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 164
- Source marketplaces
- 23
- Model years available
- 1961–2026
Grumman AA-5B Tiger
- For sale now
- 21
- Median asking
- $122,350
- Range
- $93,309–$154,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 7
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 1974–1979
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 — 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 |
Piper Cherokee — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Grumman AA-5B Tiger — 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 | Piper Cherokee | Grumman AA-5B Tiger |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 1 | — |
| Serious | 542 | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Cherokee | Grumman AA-5B Tiger |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $59,948 – $277,250 | $93,309 – $154,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | 150 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) | 143 kts (265 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | 525 nm (972 km) | 681 nm (1,261 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) | 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) | — |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $28,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $16,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $120 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Piper Cherokee
Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$40,000/yr
Grumman AA-5B Tiger
Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 172 if…
The balanced middle choice — no single category standout, but competitive on price, capability and running costs.
Pick the Cherokee if…
- Lowest entry price — from $59,948
- Lowest operating cost — about $120/hr
- Most listings for sale — 630
Pick the AA-5B Tiger if…
- Fastest cruise — 143 kts
- Longest range — 681 nm
- Newest design — built from 1975
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, Piper Cherokee or Grumman AA-5B Tiger?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 nm range.
The AA-5B Tiger cruises at 143 kts with 681 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $72,000.
Piper Cherokee: from $58,000.
Grumman AA-5B Tiger: from $122,350.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
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