Cessna 172 vs Piper Saratoga
The Cessna 172 (four-seat fixed-gear trainer, ~115 kt) and Piper Saratoga (six-seat retractable/fixed-gear cross-country, ~150-165 kt) are very different aircraft — different cabin size, different mission, different cost class.
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
Piper Saratoga
- For sale now
- 170
- Median asking
- $226,400
- Range
- $115,250–$495,525
- Model years available
- 1965–2007
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 | 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 |
Piper Saratoga — 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 Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $115,250 – $495,525 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | 102.0 gal (386 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $170 |
| Engines | 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 Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Saratoga?
Bottom line: Choose the 172 for primary training and the cheapest four-seat ownership. Step up to the Saratoga for six seats, ~40+ kt more cruise and the family/touring six-seat mission.
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $115,250, you save ~$53,687.
- Lower operating cost — ~$130/hr vs $170/hr.
- More inventory — 164 listings vs 122.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 950 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
What's the key difference between the Cessna 172 and Piper Saratoga?
Class. The Cessna 172 is the world's most popular four-seat trainer and personal aircraft — Lycoming O-320 (160 hp), fixed gear, ~110–120 kt cruise. The Piper Saratoga (PA-32) is a six-seat high-performance touring aircraft — Lycoming IO-540 (~300 hp), fixed or retractable gear, approximately 145–160 kt cruise. The Saratoga carries significantly more, flies significantly faster, and costs significantly more.
Why would anyone compare a 172 to a Saratoga?
Step-up buyers — a pilot who owns or has flown a 172 and is considering the Saratoga as the next aircraft. The Saratoga is effectively a fully loaded six-seat step up: more power (300 versus 160 hp), more payload, better climb, and genuine cross-country speed. The 172 is the training and casual flying aircraft; the Saratoga is the high-performance family tourer.
172 or Saratoga — which should I buy?
Buy the 172 if training, two-to-three-person local flying, and the lowest aircraft-ownership cost are the goals — it is cost-efficient and the best-supported piston aircraft ever built. Buy the Saratoga if six seats and 300 hp performance are genuine requirements — families who actually fill six seats, or pilots who need the Saratoga's climb rate from high-altitude airports.
How do specs compare?
Cessna 172N: Lycoming O-320 (~160 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~110–120 kt. Piper Saratoga: Lycoming IO-540 (~300 hp), six seats, fixed or retractable gear, ~145–160 kt, ~1,100 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 172 is dramatically less expensive to operate — 160 hp versus 300 hp means substantially less fuel burn, and the O-320 overhaul is less expensive than the IO-540. For pilots whose missions are within the 172's envelope, the cost difference is significant. The Saratoga earns its operating cost through six seats and cross-country performance.
Which should I buy?
172 for training, casual four-seat personal flying, and the most economical aircraft ownership in the Cessna family. Saratoga for the pilot who has outgrown the 172's four-seat limit and needs six seats and 300 hp performance for real family cross-country missions. The 172 buyer is not the Saratoga buyer — the step up is a genuine mission and budget decision.
Which is better, Cessna 172 or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Piper Saratoga: from $498,500.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Saratoga?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 118 vs 163 kts.
Range: 518 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/hr variable cost.
Saratoga: about $170/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.
Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 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.
Saratoga: 2,000-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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data