Cessna 182 vs Piper Saratoga vs Beechcraft Bonanza
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
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
Beechcraft Bonanza
- For sale now
- 5
- Model years available
- 1947–1972
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 | 221 |
| 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 | 166 |
Piper Saratoga — 0 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|
Beechcraft Bonanza — 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 Saratoga | Beechcraft Bonanza |
|---|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | 1 | — |
| Serious | 249 | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper Saratoga | Beechcraft BONANZA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $115,250 – $495,525 | $56,320 – $270,500 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | |||
| Seats | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 300 HP | 285 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 165 kts (306 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 700 nm (1,296 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 18,500 ft (5,639 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) | 1,100 lbs (499 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) | 14.0 GPH (53 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 | 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 Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Beechcraft BONANZA
Fuel$77/hr
Which Should You Buy?
Pick the 182 if…
- Lowest operating cost — about $160/hr
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Most seats — 6
- Longest range — 950 nm
- Newest design — built from 1980
- Most listings for sale — 121
Pick the Bonanza if…
- Lowest entry price — from $56,320
- Fastest cruise — 165 kts
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, Piper Saratoga or Beechcraft BONANZA?
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.
The BONANZA cruises at 165 kts with 700 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.
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