Cessna 182 vs Diamond DA40
The Cessna 150/152 (two-seat trainer) / 172 (four-seat trainer) / 182 (four-seat hauler) and Diamond DA40 (four-seat composite, ~150 kt, factory G1000 NXi) are different generations of training/touring singles — the Cessnas are the aluminium classics; the DA40 is the modern composite.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 489
- Median asking
- $218,897
- Range
- $104,725–$564,768
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2027
- For sale now
- 85
- Median asking
- $424,858
- Range
- $184,562–$670,700
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 39
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 2000–2026
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.
Cessna 182 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182 Continental (early) | 1956–1976 | Continental O-470-L/R | 2650 | 140 | 640 | 186 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | Continental O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 74 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–now | Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 42 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 134 |
Diamond DA40 — 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 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 10 |
| Serious | 249 | 0 |
| Fatal | 529 | 3 |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 5 |
| % Fatal | 19% | 30% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Diamond DA40 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $184,562 – $670,700 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 135 kts (250 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 635 nm (1,176 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 16,400 ft (4,999 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,535 lbs (1,150 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 780 lbs (354 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 40.0 gal (151 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 9.5 GPH (36 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $25,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 182
Diamond DA40
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Diamond DA40?
Bottom line: Choose the Cessna for the largest support network, proven aluminium economics and the cheapest entry. Choose the DA40 for modern composite construction, factory Garmin G1000 NXi, benign handling and the youngest active fleet — when modern features and Garmin glass are worth the higher acquisition cost.
Pick the 182 if…
- Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $184,562, you save ~$79,837.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 635 nm.
- More inventory — 488 listings vs 81.
Pick the DA40 if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $160/hr.
- Newer design — production from 2000 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.