Cessna 172 vs Piper Tri-Pacer
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 421
- Median asking
- $134,231
- Range
- $61,563–$324,965
- Model years available
- 1956–2026
Piper Tri-Pacer
- For sale now
- 11
- Median asking
- $47,450
- Range
- $19,875–$85,000
- Model years available
- 1950–2019
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 172 — 3 generations
| Generation | Years | Engine | MTOW | Cruise | Range | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 Continental | 1956–1967 | O-300 | 2300 | 118 | 520 | 137 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 128 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 103 |
Piper Tri-Pacer — 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 172 | Piper Tri-Pacer |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | Piper Tri-Pacer |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $61,563 – $324,965 | $19,875 – $85,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 115 kts (213 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 500 nm (926 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 16,000 ft (4,877 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | — |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 8.5 GPH (32 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,400 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $130 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateCessna 172
Fuel$47/hr
Variable$130/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$44,000/yr
Piper Tri-Pacer
Fuel$47/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or Piper Tri-Pacer?
Pick the 172 if…
- Faster cruise — 118 kts vs 115 kts.
- Longer range — 518 nm vs 500 nm.
- More inventory — 163 listings vs 14.
Pick the Tri-Pacer if…
- Budget matters — from $19,875 vs $61,563, you save ~$41,688.
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 172 or Piper Tri-Pacer?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The Tri-Pacer cruises at 115 kts with 500 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $119,900.
Piper Tri-Pacer: from $89,500.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and Piper Tri-Pacer?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 115 kts.
Range: 518 vs 500 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
172: about $130/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?
172: 4 seats / 878 lb useful load.
Tri-Pacer: 4 seats / 850 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?
172: 1,400-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