Cessna 210 vs Piper Colt
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 210
- For sale now
- 177
- Median asking
- $249,750
- Range
- $90,200–$695,000
- Model years available
- 1960–2021
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 210 — 4 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 IO-470 (260hp) | 1960–1963 | IO-470-E | 2900 | 160 | 700 | 29 |
| 210 IO-520 (NA) | 1964–1986 | IO-520-A/L | 3800 | 171 | 900 | 47 |
| T210 Turbo | 1966–1986 | TSIO-520-R | 3800 | 193 | 950 | 58 |
| P210 Pressurized | 1978–1986 | TSIO-520-P | 4000 | 200 | 1000 | 57 |
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 210 | Piper Colt |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 819 | — |
| Serious | 64 | — |
| Fatal | 192 | — |
| Fatalities | 413 | — |
| % Fatal | 23% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 210 | Piper Colt |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $90,200 – $695,000 | $18,035 – $29,285 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 260–325 HP | 108 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 160–200 kts (370 km/h) | 94 kts (174 km/h) |
| Range | 700–1,000 nm (1,852 km) | 600 nm (1,111 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 17,300 ft (5,273 m) | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2900–4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) | 1,650 lbs (748 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,310 lbs (594 kg) | 650 lbs (295 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 90.0 gal (341 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 14.5 GPH (55 L/h) | 6.0 GPH (23 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $175 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 210
Fuel$80/hr
Variable$175/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$57,000/yr
Piper Colt
Fuel$33/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 210 or Piper Colt?
Pick the 210 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 2.
- Faster cruise — 160 kts vs 94 kts.
- Longer range — 700 nm vs 600 nm.
- More inventory — 28 listings vs 5.
Pick the Colt if…
- Budget matters — from $18,035 vs $90,200, you save ~$72,165.
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 210 or Piper Colt?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 210 cruises at 160 kts with 700 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 210: from $159,000.
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 210 and Piper Colt?
210 engine: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E (260 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 2.
Cruise: 160 vs 94 kts.
Range: 700 vs 600 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
210: about $175/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?
210: 6 seats / 1,310 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?
210: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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