Cessna 182 Continental (early) vs Mooney 231
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182 Continental (early)
No active listings right now.
Mooney 231
- For sale now
- 44
- Median asking
- $165,000
- Range
- $91,226–$239,075
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 15
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 1979–1997
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 182 Continental (early) — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | Continental O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 205 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | Continental O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 78 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–now | Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 45 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 152 |
Mooney 231 — 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 182 Continental (early) | Mooney 231 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 3 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 Continental (early) | Mooney 231 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | — | $91,226 – $239,075 |
| Category | — | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | — |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 210 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 191 kts (354 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 981 nm (1,817 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,900 ft (5,761 m) | 24,000 ft (7,315 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,140 lbs (517 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 13.5 GPH (51 L/h) | 13.3 GPH (50 L/h) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 Continental (early) or Mooney 231?
Pick the 182 Continental (early) if…
Pick the 231 if…
- Faster cruise — 191 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 981 nm vs 640 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
Which is better, Cessna 182 Continental (early) or Mooney 231?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 Continental (early) cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The 231 cruises at 191 kts with 981 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Mooney 231: from $140,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 Continental (early) and Mooney 231?
182 Continental (early) engine: Continental O-470-L/R (230 hp).
231 engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB;TSIO-360-LB (210 hp).
Cruise: 140 vs 191 kts.
Range: 640 vs 981 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
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?
182 Continental (early): 4 seats / 1,140 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?
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