Cessna 182 vs Piper Colt
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
Piper Colt
- For sale now
- 5
- Model years available
- 1961–1966
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 | 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 |
Piper Colt — 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 | Piper Colt |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | — |
| Serious | 249 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Colt |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $18,035 – $29,285 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 108 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 94 kts (174 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 1,650 lbs (748 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 650 lbs (295 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 6.0 GPH (23 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
EstimateCessna 182
Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$52,000/yr
Piper Colt
Fuel$33/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper Colt?
Pick the 182 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 94 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 600 nm.
- More inventory — 106 listings vs 5.
Pick the Colt if…
- Budget matters — from $18,035 vs $104,725, you save ~$86,690.
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 Piper Colt?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The Colt cruises at 94 kts with 600 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000.
Piper Colt: from $26,947.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Piper Colt?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 2.
Cruise: 140 vs 94 kts.
Range: 640 vs 600 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?
182: 4 seats / 1,110 lb useful load.
Colt: 2 seats / 650 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