Cessna 172 O-320 150hp Aircraft

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The Cessna 172 with the 150-hp Lycoming O-320 (1968-1976) is the classic middle Skyhawk - the most abundant, simplest and best-supported four-seat trainer, forgiving and cheap to own.

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp aircraft for sale

· 4-seat · $47,875–$245,000 · market reference $75,000 · updated recently

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 172 O-320 150hp is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 120 kt (222 km/h), a range of 585 nm (1,083 km), and a useful load of 910 lbs (413 kg).

Performance
Cruise120 kt (222 km/h)
Max Speed125 kt (232 km/h)
Range585 nm (1,083 km)
Service Ceiling13,100 ft (3,993 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineLYCOMING O-320-E2D
Horsepower150 HP
Fuel Capacity43.0 gal (163 L)
Fuel Burn8.0 GPH (30 L/h)
TBO2,000 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats4
Max Gross Weight2,300 lbs (1,043 kg)
Useful Load910 lbs (413 kg)
Production1968–1976

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp for Sale

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp asking prices range from $47,875 to $245,000, with a median of $130,000 (market reference $75,000).

No Cessna 172 O-320 150hp currently listed for sale.

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Cessna 172 O-320 150hp Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 172 O-320 150hp cost? Used 172 O-320 150hp prices: $47K – $245K, average $130K (median $130K); market reference $75K, across 100 priced of 0 active listings.

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 172 O-320 150hp Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (8.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$4,960/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The 150-hp Lycoming 172s are among the cheapest four-seat aircraft to own: the O-320-E burns around 8 gph, has a huge service network, and a moderate overhaul cost well below the earlier O-300. Fixed gear eliminates gear maintenance. Annual inspection costs are low and parts are abundant. The main variable is engine time-since-overhaul; otherwise these are predictable, low-cost aircraft, which is a large part of their enduring popularity.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 172 O-320 150hp

Buying a Cessna 172 O-320 150hp comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The 150-hp Lycoming 172s cover the 1968-1976 Skyhawks - four-seat, fixed-gear singles that switched from the earlier Continental O-300 to the four-cylinder Lycoming O-320-E (150 hp), cruising around 120 knots. This is the classic "middle" Skyhawk generation: simple, abundant, and the aircraft most people picture as a 172.

Why this generation is popular. The four-cylinder O-320 is simpler and cheaper to overhaul than the earlier six-cylinder O-300, with a very large parts and service network. These years are among the most common used 172s, which keeps prices reasonable and support excellent. They are forgiving trainers and dependable personal aircraft.

The O-320-H caveat does not apply here. These 1968-1976 aircraft use the well-regarded O-320-E; the later O-320-H2AD (1977-1980) that had early camshaft and lifter issues is a different, later variant. Buyers should still verify engine time and cylinder health, but the E-series has no generation-specific engine concern.

Ownership focus. Corrosion, logbook continuity, and engine time-since-overhaul are the primary pre-buy items on a 45-plus-year-old airframe. Otherwise these are among the best-understood, best-supported light aircraft in existence.

Buy it if you want the classic, abundant, easy-to-own Skyhawk with a simple four-cylinder Lycoming and the largest possible support network - for training, currency, or affordable four-seat flying.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 172 O-320 150hp

What is the Cessna 172 O-320 150 hp?
This is the group of Cessna 172 Skyhawks built from 1968 to 1976 with the carbureted Lycoming O-320-E2D engine (150 hp) — the first Lycoming-powered 172s after the Continental O-300 era ended in 1967. It covers the 172I through 172M letter variants. These aircraft offer the practical, well-supported Lycoming O-320 in the most affordable Skyhawk bracket, below the 160-hp 172N/P and the modern fuel-injected 172R/S.
How does the 150 hp O-320 172 compare to the 160 hp version?
The 1968–1976 aircraft use the 150-hp O-320-E2D; the later 172N (1977–1980) and 172P (1981–1986) use the 160-hp O-320. The 10-hp difference is modest in practice — climb and useful load are marginally better on the 160-hp aircraft. The 150-hp examples are typically the lowest-cost route into Lycoming-powered Skyhawk ownership; the 160-hp 172P (with the reliable D2J engine) is the late-letter sweet spot.
What should I inspect on a 150 hp O-320 Cessna 172?
Lycoming O-320-E2D compression, cylinder health, magnetos, and carburetor; seat rail AD compliance (mandatory across all 172s); spar carry-through and corrosion on a 50-plus-year-old airframe; and full logbook continuity. The O-320-E2D is a clean, well-understood engine without the camshaft AD history of the later H2AD — a genuine advantage of this era.
Is the 150 hp O-320 172 a good buy?
Yes, for a budget-conscious buyer who wants a Lycoming-powered Skyhawk. The O-320-E2D avoids the 172N's H2AD camshaft concern, the engine is widely supported, and these aircraft are plentiful. The trade-off is age and 10 fewer horsepower than the 172N/P. With a clean pre-buy and good engine time, it delivers full four-seat Skyhawk capability at the lowest Lycoming-era price point.
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
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