Beechcraft Bonanza 33 vs Cessna 182
The Beechcraft Bonanza (33 or 36) and Cessna 182 Skylane are different-class cross-country singles — the Bonanza is the retractable high-performance Beechcraft (~170-176 kt); the 182 is the fixed-gear high-wing hauler (~140 kt).
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Beechcraft Bonanza 33
- For sale now
- 79
- Median asking
- $229,500
- Range
- $102,600–$471,411
- Model years available
- 1948–1994
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
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.
Beechcraft Bonanza 33 — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 216 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 86 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 50 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 165 |
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) | Beechcraft Bonanza 33 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2779 |
| Serious | — | 249 |
| Fatal | — | 529 |
| Fatalities | — | 1000 |
| % Fatal | — | 19% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza 33 | Cessna 182 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $102,600 – $471,411 | $104,725 – $564,768 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | 230–235 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 168 kts (311 km/h) | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) |
| Range | 920 nm (1,704 km) | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,858 ft (5,443 m) | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,134 lbs (514 kg) | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 92.0 gal (348 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) |
| TBO | — | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | — | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | — | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | — | $160 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza 33
Fuel$80/hr
Cessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza 33 or Cessna 182?
Bottom line: Choose the Bonanza for higher cruise, the iconic Beechcraft cabin and high- performance handling. Choose the 182 for fixed-gear simplicity, much larger useful load, high-wing visibility and dramatically lower acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the Bonanza 33 if…
- Budget matters — from $102,600 vs $104,725, you save ~$2,125.
- Faster cruise — 168 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 920 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1960 vs 1956.
Pick the 182 if…
- More inventory — 106 listings vs 5.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the Beechcraft Bonanza 33 and Cessna 182?
The Bonanza 33 (Debonair/Bonanza 33, straight-tail) is a four-seat retractable-gear high-performance single — Continental IO-470 or IO-520 (~225–285 hp depending on year), approximately 163–170 kt cruise. The Cessna 182 is a fixed-gear four-seat tourer with 230 hp and ~140 kt cruise. The Bonanza 33 is faster with retractable gear; the 182 is simpler and more accessible.
Bonanza 33 or 182 — which four-seater?
Buy the Bonanza 33 if retractable-gear speed (163–170 kt versus 140 kt), Beechcraft build quality, and IO-470/IO-520 power are valued — and retractable-gear currency is maintained. Buy the 182 if fixed-gear simplicity, lower operating cost, and identical four-seat utility at 140 kt are the mission. For most personal touring under 500 nm, the speed difference is under 30 minutes — the 182 is hard to argue against on economics.
How does the Model 33 compare to the Model 36 Bonanza?
The Model 33 (Bonanza 33/Debonair) is a four-seat aircraft; the Model 36 is a six-seat stretched fuselage. If four seats are sufficient, the 33 and 36 offer similar performance; the 36 is worth the premium only when the fifth and sixth seats are genuinely used.
How do specs compare?
Bonanza 33: Continental IO-520 (~285 hp on later variants), four seats, retractable gear, ~170 kt, ~900 nm. Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~140 kt, ~900 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The 182 is cheaper to operate — fixed gear eliminates gear-system annual costs, and the IO-520/IO-470 overhaul is more expensive than the IO-540. Bonanza-specific shops are available, but the 182's Continental/Lycoming support is wider. For budget-conscious owners, the 182's ownership economics are clearly better.
Which should I buy?
Bonanza 33 for pilots who want retractable-gear speed and the Beechcraft build reputation in a four-seat aircraft, and who maintain gear-extension proficiency. 182 for fixed-gear simplicity, lower annual cost, and four-seat touring that does not require 170 kt. The 182 is the rational choice; the Bonanza 33 is the aspirational one.
Which is better, Beechcraft Bonanza 33 or Cessna 182?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Bonanza 33 cruises at 168 kts with 920 nm range.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft Bonanza 33 and Cessna 182?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Cruise: 168 vs 140 kts.
Range: 920 vs 640 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/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?
Bonanza 33: 4 seats / 1,134 lb useful load.
182: 4 seats / 1,110 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?
182: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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