Cessna 182 vs Mooney 201
The Cessna 182 Skylane and Mooney M20J 201 are the two classic cross-country four-seaters — the 182 is the fixed-gear high-wing hauler (~140 kt, ~1,100 lb useful); the M20J is the retractable low-wing speedster (~160 kt, lighter useful).
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
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 167
- Source marketplaces
- 21
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Mooney 201
- For sale now
- 57
- Median asking
- $139,450
- Range
- $96,250–$234,955
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 19
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 1977–1998
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 | 209 |
| 182 Continental (late) | 1977–1986 | O-470-U | 3100 | 142 | 700 | 82 |
| T182 Turbo | 1981–1986 | TIO-540-AK1A | 3100 | 158 | 970 | 49 |
| 182 Lycoming | 1997–now | IO-540-AB1A5 | 3100 | 145 | 930 | 166 |
Mooney 201 — 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 | Mooney 201 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mooney 201 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $96,250 – $234,955 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 161 kts (298 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 820 nm (1,519 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 18,800 ft (5,730 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,110 lbs (503 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 92.0 gal (348 L) | 64.0 gal (242 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 12.5 GPH (47 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $160 | $140 |
| 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
Mooney 201
Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$46,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Mooney 201?
Bottom line: Choose the 182 when load-carrying matters more than speed, when you want fixed gear and high-wing utility and when budget for the simpler airframe wins. Choose the M20J for 20 kt more cruise on the same fuel burn — but accept less useful load and retractable-gear discipline.
Pick the 182 if…
- More inventory — 102 listings vs 6.
Pick the 201 if…
- Budget matters — from $96,250 vs $104,725, you save ~$8,475.
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $160/hr.
- Faster cruise — 161 kts vs 140 kts.
- Longer range — 820 nm vs 640 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1956.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between the Mooney M20J and Cessna 182?
Speed versus simplicity and load. The Mooney M20J (201) uses a Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (200 hp) in a highly aerodynamically efficient airframe — cruising approximately 168 kt from only 200 hp thanks to its retractable gear and laminar-flow wing. The Cessna 182 uses 230 hp to cruise approximately 140 kt with a fixed-gear, simpler, heavier airframe that carries more useful load. The Mooney trades payload for speed; the 182 trades speed for load capacity.
M20J or 182 — which four-seater should I buy?
Buy the Mooney M20J if speed and fuel efficiency on cross-country trips matter more than payload — the M20J is one of the most efficient four-seat singles ever built. Buy the 182 if real-world payload (four adults with bags, or two adults with heavy cargo) is a regular requirement, fixed-gear simplicity is preferred, and 140 kt is adequate. The Mooney is the speed machine; the 182 is the workhorse.
How does useful load compare?
The Cessna 182 generally has more useful load than the M20J, and — more importantly — its full-fuel-plus-four-adult payload equation works in practice. The Mooney M20J's narrower, lighter airframe means practical payload with full fuel is often two adults plus modest bags. For real-world family touring, the 182 handles loads the Mooney cannot.
How do specs compare?
M20J: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D (~200 hp), four seats, retractable gear, ~168 kt, ~1,050 nm. Cessna 182T: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (230 hp), four seats, fixed gear, ~140 kt, ~900 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate?
The M20J is more fuel-efficient — it achieves 168 kt from only 200 hp, while the 182 burns more fuel for 140 kt, so per-nm fuel cost favours the Mooney. However, retractable-gear maintenance and Mooney-specific parts availability add to the M20J's annual costs. The 182's fixed-gear simplicity and ubiquitous parts network offset its higher fuel burn for many owners.
Which should I buy?
M20J for pilots who prioritise speed and fuel efficiency above all, accept the narrower cabin and tighter payload, and are committed to retractable-gear currency. 182 for pilots who need real-world payload flexibility, fixed-gear simplicity, and don't need 168 kt — the 182's 140 kt is adequate for most personal flying. Two different philosophies of ownership.
Which is better, Cessna 182 or Mooney 201?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The 201 cruises at 161 kts with 820 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Mooney 201?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
201 engine: Lycoming O-320 (200 hp).
Cruise: 140 vs 161 kts.
Range: 640 vs 820 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
182: about $160/hr variable cost.
201: about $140/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.
201: 4 seats / 900 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.
201: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
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