Cessna 182 vs Cessna 185F
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Cessna 185F
- For sale now
- 13
- Median asking
- $297,250
- Range
- $200,725–$449,725
- Model years available
- 1973–1981
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 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 217 |
| 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 | 163 |
Cessna 185F — 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 | Cessna 185F |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 106 |
| Serious | 249 | 6 |
| Fatal | 529 | 8 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 13 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 8% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Cessna 185F |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $200,725 – $449,725 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 145 kts (269 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 720 nm (1,333 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 17,150 ft (5,227 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 3,350 lbs (1,520 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 74.0 gal (280 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 15.5 GPH (59 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $175 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Cessna 185F
Fuel$85/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Cessna 185F?
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $200,725, you save ~$96,000.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $175/hr.
- More inventory — 104 listings vs 17.
Pick the 185F if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 145 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 720 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1973 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 or Cessna 185F?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The 185F cruises at 145 kts with 720 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 Cessna 182 and Cessna 185F?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
185F engine: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D (300 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 140 vs 145 kts.
Range: 640 vs 720 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
185F: about $175/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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
185F: 6 seats / 1,440 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.
185F: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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