Cessna 172L vs Vans RV-9
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172L
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $112,475
- Range
- $83,229–$168,650
- Source marketplaces
- 6
- Model years available
- 1970–1973
Vans RV-9
- 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 172L — 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 172L | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 162 | 1 |
| Serious | 13 | 0 |
| Fatal | 26 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 45 | 1 |
| % Fatal | 16% | 100% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172L | Vans RV-9 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $83,229 – $168,650 | $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) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,550 lbs (1,157 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | — |
| Fuel Burn | — | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $20,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $10,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $85 |
| Engines | 1 x Reciprocating | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172L
Vans RV-9
Fuel$33/hr
Variable$85/hr
Annual Fixed$10,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$27,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172L or Vans RV-9?
Pick the 172L if…
- Budget matters — from $83,229 vs $142,264, you save ~$59,035.
- More seats — 4 vs 1.
- More inventory — 11 listings vs 3.
Pick the RV-9 if…
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 122 kts.
- Newer design — production from 1997 vs 1968.
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 172L or Vans RV-9?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172L cruises at 122 kts with 640 nm range.
The RV-9 cruises at 160 kts.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172L: from $156,000.
Vans RV-9: from $150,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172L and Vans RV-9?
Seats: 4 vs 1.
Cruise: 122 vs 160 kts.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
RV-9: about $85/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?
172L: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
RV-9: 1 seats.
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?
172L: 2,000-hour TBO.
RV-9: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$20,000.
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 updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data