Cessna 182 vs Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
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
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
- For sale now
- 12
- Median asking
- $80,000
- Range
- $56,750–$172,500
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 3
- Source marketplaces
- 2
- Model years available
- 1946–1947
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 |
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser — 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 PA-12 Super Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 2779 | — |
| Serious | 249 | — |
| Fatal | 529 | — |
| Fatalities | 1000 | — |
| % Fatal | 19% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 182 | Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $104,725 – $564,768 | $56,750 – $172,500 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 3 |
| Horsepower | 230–235 HP | 108 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 140–158 kts (293 km/h) | 90 kts (167 km/h) |
| Range | 640–970 nm (1,796 km) | 520 nm (963 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,100 ft (5,517 m) | 16,000 ft (4,877 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2650–3,100 lbs (1,406 kg) | 1,750 lbs (794 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) | 7.0 GPH (26 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 PA-12 Super Cruiser
Fuel$38/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 182 or Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser?
Pick the 182 if…
- More seats — 4 vs 3.
- Faster cruise — 140 kts vs 90 kts.
- Longer range — 640 nm vs 520 nm.
- More inventory — 102 listings vs 16.
Pick the PA-12 Super Cruiser if…
- Budget matters — from $56,750 vs $104,725, you save ~$47,975.
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 PA-12 Super Cruiser?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 182 cruises at 140 kts with 640 nm range.
The PA-12 Super Cruiser cruises at 90 kts with 520 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 182: from $110,000.
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser: from $75,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 182 and Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser?
182 engine: CONTINENTAL O-470-R (230 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 3.
Cruise: 140 vs 90 kts.
Range: 640 vs 520 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.
PA-12 Super Cruiser: 3 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