Cessna 182 vs Piper Saratoga

Families outgrowing a basic four-seater often weigh the Cessna 182 Skylane against the Piper Saratoga — two very different takes on the workhorse single. The 182 is the high-wing classic: fixed-gear simplicity, great downward visibility and four seats of dependable cross-country capability. The Saratoga is the low-wing hauler: six seats, a big cabin, club seating and the muscle of a 300-horsepower engine. What each is bringing today, and how many are out there, is below.

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 Saratoga
For sale now
170
Median asking
$226,400
Range
$115,250–$495,525
Model years available
1965–2007

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

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor 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 Saratoga — 0 generations

GenerationYearsEngineMTOWCruiseRangeFor 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 182Piper Saratoga
All events27791
Serious2490
Fatal5290
Fatalities10000
% Fatal19%0%
View full Cessna 182 NTSB record →View full Piper Saratoga NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Cessna 182 Piper Saratoga
Cessna 182
View 106 listings →
Median $218,897
 Piper Saratoga
View 121 listings →
Median $226,400
Price Range $104,725 – $564,768 $115,250 – $495,525
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) 163 kts (302 km/h)
Range 640–970 nm (1,796 km) 950 nm (1,759 km)
Service Ceiling 18,100 ft (5,517 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg)
Useful Load 1,110 lbs (503 kg) 1,360 lbs (617 kg)
Fuel Capacity 92.0 gal (348 L) 102.0 gal (386 L)
Fuel Burn 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) 15.0 GPH (57 L/h)
TBO 1,700 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $32,000 $32,000
Annual Fixed $20,000 $20,000
Hourly Variable $160 $170
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Cessna 182

Fuel$69/hr
Variable$160/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $52,000/yr

Piper Saratoga

Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $54,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper Saratoga?

Bottom line: Choose the 182 Skylane for simple, economical four-seat flying — a high wing for visibility and shade, fixed-gear dependability and running costs that stay friendly. Choose the Saratoga when you need real room: six seats, a large cabin and the payload to use them, with the trade of higher fuel burn and a more powerful airframe. On safety both are stable, forgiving singles with strong records; the difference is mission, not safety class — the 182 keeps it simple and economical, the Saratoga carries more people and gear. The choice is four economical seats up high, or six roomy ones down low.

Pick the 182 if…

  • Budget matters — from $104,725 vs $115,250, you save ~$10,525.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$160/hr vs $170/hr.

Pick the Saratoga if…

  • More seats — 6 vs 4.
  • Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 140 kts.
  • Longer range — 950 nm vs 640 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1956.
  • More inventory — 121 listings vs 106.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Cessna 182 and a Piper Saratoga?
Size and layout. The 182 is a high-wing, four-seat, fixed-gear single; the Saratoga is a low-wing six-seater with more power and cabin. The 182 is simpler and cheaper to run; the Saratoga carries more.
Which costs less to operate?
The 182 Skylane — fewer seats, less power and high-wing simplicity keep fuel and maintenance down. The Saratoga's larger, 300-hp airframe costs more to feed but hauls a real six-seat load.
Which is the better family airplane?
The Saratoga, if you regularly carry five or six — its cabin and payload are built for it. The 182 is ideal for four and lighter loads, with lower running costs.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range. The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $104,000. Piper Saratoga: from $498,500. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Piper Saratoga?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp). Seats: 4 vs 6. Cruise: 140 vs 163 kts. Range: 640 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost. Saratoga: about $170/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. Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 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. Saratoga: 2,000-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