Cessna 172 vs Saab 91D Safir
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
Cessna 172
- For sale now
- 581
- Median asking
- $129,900
- Range
- $57,117–$303,905
- Model years available
- 1951–2026
Saab 91D Safir
- For sale now
- 1
- Model years available
- 1962–1962
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 | 153 |
| 172 O-320 150hp | 1968–1976 | O-320-E2D | 2300 | 120 | 585 | 146 |
| 172 O-320 160hp | 1977–1986 | O-320-H2AD/D2J | 2400 | 122 | 585 | 112 |
SAAB 91D Safir — 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 | SAAB 91D Safir |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 6810 | — |
| Serious | 542 | — |
| Fatal | 960 | — |
| Fatalities | 1802 | — |
| % Fatal | 14% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Cessna 172 | SAAB 91D Safir |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $57,117 – $303,905 | $102,536 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 145–160 HP | 180 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 118–122 kts (226 km/h) | 127 kts (235 km/h) |
| Range | 520–585 nm (1,083 km) | 573 nm (1,061 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 14,000 ft (4,267 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2300–2,400 lbs (1,089 kg) | 2,657 lbs (1,205 kg) |
| Useful Load | 878 lbs (398 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 56.0 gal (212 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 8.6 GPH (33 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 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
SAAB 91D Safir
Fuel$55/hr
Which Should You Buy: Cessna 172 or SAAB 91D Safir?
Pick the 172 if…
- Budget matters — from $57,117 vs $102,536, you save ~$45,419.
- More inventory — 174 listings vs 1.
Pick the 91D Safir if…
- Faster cruise — 127 kts vs 118 kts.
- Longer range — 573 nm vs 518 nm.
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 SAAB 91D Safir?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The 172 cruises at 118 kts with 518 nm range.
The 91D Safir cruises at 127 kts with 573 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Cessna 172: from $99,500.
SAAB 91D Safir: from $102,877.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Cessna 172 and SAAB 91D Safir?
172 engine: LYCOMING (180 hp).
Cruise: 118 vs 127 kts.
Range: 518 vs 573 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.
91D Safir: 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?
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 re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data