Cessna 182 vs De Havilland DHC-2
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 182
- For sale now
- 630
- Median asking
- $215,000
- Range
- $109,960–$579,700
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
De Havilland DHC-2
- For sale now
- 8
- Median asking
- $452,500
- Range
- $347,000–$758,750
- Model years available
- 1951–1965
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 | 236 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 94 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 54 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 171 |
De Havilland DHC-2 — 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 | De Havilland DHC-2 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 147 |
| Serious | 249 | 10 |
| Fatal | 529 | 35 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 112 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 24% |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | De Havilland DHC-2 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $109,960 – $579,700 | $347,000 – $758,750 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 450 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 124 kts (230 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 455 nm (843 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 5,100 lbs (2,313 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 2,100 lbs (953 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 95.0 gal (360 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 24.0 GPH (91 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $50,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $250 |
| 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
De Havilland DHC-2
Fuel$132/hr
Variable$250/hr
Annual Fixed$35,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$85,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or De Havilland DHC-2?
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $109,960 vs $347,000, you save ~$237,040.
- Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $250/hr.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 124 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 455 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1956 vs 1948.
- More inventory — 104 listings vs 8.
Pick the DHC-2 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
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 De Havilland DHC-2?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The DHC-2 cruises at 124 kts with 455 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
De Havilland DHC-2: from $495,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and De Havilland DHC-2?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
DHC-2 engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 (450 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 140 vs 124 kts.
Range: 640 vs 455 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
DHC-2: about $250/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.
DHC-2: 6 seats / 2,100 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.
DHC-2: 1,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$50,000.
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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data