Cessna 172 vs Piper Vagabond
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 533
- Median asking
- $129,950
- Range
- $58,100–$309,960
- Model years available
- 1951–2026
Piper Vagabond
- For sale now
- 2
- Model years available
- 1948–1948
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 | 136 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 131 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 103 |
Piper Vagabond — 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 Vagabond |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Vagabond |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $58,100 – $309,960 | $48,225 – $52,275 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 65 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 78 kts (144 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 220 nm (407 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 1,100 lbs (499 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 500 lbs (227 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 4.5 GPH (17 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 Vagabond
Fuel$25/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Vagabond?
Pick the 172 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 78 kts.
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 220 nm.
- More inventory — 162 listings vs 2.
Pick the Vagabond if…
- Budget matters — from $48,225 vs $58,100, you save ~$9,875.
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 Vagabond?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Vagabond cruises at 78 kts with 220 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Piper Vagabond: from $48,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Vagabond?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 118 vs 78 kts.
Range: 518 vs 220 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.
Vagabond: 2 seats / 500 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