Cessna 172 vs Vans RV-9
The Van's RV-9 (amateur-built efficient two-seat tourer) and Cessna 172 (certified four-seat trainer/tourer) are different categories — the RV-9 is faster and more efficient on less fuel; the 172 is the certified, four-seat, rentable/financeable standard.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- 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
- For sale now
- 3
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 2004–2004
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 |
Vans RV-9 — 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 | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | 1 |
| Serious | 542 | 0 |
| Fatal | 960 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 1802 | 1 |
| % Fatal | 14% | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $142,264 – $193,650 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Experimental |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Horsepower | 145–180 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 118–124 kts (230 km/h) | 160 kts (296 km/h) |
| Range | 518–585 nm (1,083 km) | — |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 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 | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $20,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $10,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | $85 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Vans RV-9
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Vans RV-9?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna 172 for certified four-seat utility, easy financing/insurance and a vast support network. Choose the RV-9 for far better speed and efficiency in a two-seat homebuilt — accepting amateur-built status and the need to assess build quality. ================================================================ # CROSS-REFS ================================================================ - Cirrus/Cessna mirrors in those files; Glasair/Sling/Flight Design mirrors where present. - RV-8 (tandem) = sport-aerobatic, step toward Pitts/Extra for unlimited aerobatics (see those brands).
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $61,563 vs $142,264, you save ~$80,701.
- More seats — 4 vs 1.
- More inventory — 428 listings vs 3.
Pick the RV-9 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$85/hr vs $130/hr.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 118 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1997 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.