Cessna 172 vs Piper Tomahawk
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
Piper Tomahawk
- For sale now
- 8
- Model years available
- 1978–1979
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 — 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 |
Piper Tomahawk — 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 Tomahawk |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Tomahawk |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $57,146 – $310,665 | $34,610 – $80,242 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 112 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 100 kts (185 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 468 nm (867 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 13,000 ft (3,962 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 1,670 lbs (758 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 550 lbs (249 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | — |
| 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 Tomahawk
Fuel$33/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Tomahawk?
Pick the 172 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 100 kts.
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 468 nm.
- More inventory — 173 listings vs 8.
Pick the Tomahawk if…
- Budget matters — from $34,610 vs $57,146, you save ~$22,536.
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 Piper Tomahawk?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Tomahawk cruises at 100 kts with 468 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $99,500.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Tomahawk?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 118 vs 100 kts.
Range: 518 vs 468 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.
Tomahawk: 2 seats / 550 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