Cessna 177 Aircraft under $500,000

Under $500k for a piston single is the high-end price band — typically modern composite singles (Cirrus SR22/SR22T from mid-2000s+), late-model Bonanza or Mooney with full glass, low-time airframes with current engine status and full mandate compliance. Highest acquisition cost in piston class but lowest pre-buy discovery risk.

The Cessna 177 Cardinal is the sleek, strut-less high-wing single Cessna designed as a "172 successor" in the late 1960s — better visibility, a cantilever wing, swept tail and a cruise of roughly 124 kt on early fixed-gear models up to ~148 kt on the 177RG retractable. Production ran 1968-1978. The retractable 177RG Cardinal RG is the faster variant (~150 kt). Loved by owners for its handling, visibility and ramp presence, the Cardinal has a small but devoted community.

Cessna 177 aircraft for sale

78 used Cessna 177 aircraft for sale under $500,000 · 4-seat · $62,547–$199,000 · market reference $80,000 · updated 13 hours ago

Cessna 177 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 177 is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 120–144 kt (222–267 km/h), a range of 600–800 nm (1,111–1,482 km), and a useful load of 900–1,000 lbs (408–454 kg).

Performance
Cruise120–144 kt (222–267 km/h)
Max Speed128–152 kt (237–282 km/h)
Range600–800 nm (1,111–1,482 km)
Service Ceiling14,600–17,100 ft (4,450–5,212 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineLYCOMING O-320
Horsepower150–200 HP
Fuel Capacity50.0–60.0 gal (189–227 L)
Fuel Burn9.0–11.0 GPH (34–42 L/h)
TBO1,800–2,000 hrs
ICAO TypeC177
Weights & Seats
Seats4
Max Gross Weight2,350–2,800 lbs (1,066–1,270 kg)
Useful Load900–1,000 lbs (408–454 kg)
Production1968–1978

Cessna 177 for Sale

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Cessna 177 asking prices range from $62,547 to $199,000, with a median of $132,000 (market reference $80,000).

1967 Cessna 177

1967 Cessna 177 for sale
$62,547
For Sale
Total Time 4,230
Reg# VH-DZF Australia
Location Queensland, Australia
Listed 15d ago

1968 Cessna 177

1968 Cessna 177 for sale below typical asking range
$85,000
For Sale
Total Time 5,375
Reg# N3479T US
Location Defuniak Springs, FL
Via USA Aircraft Brokers, Inc.
Multiple sources
Listed 23d ago

1976 Cessna 177B

1976 Cessna 177B for sale below typical asking range
$85,000 ↓ -$45K
For Sale
Total Time 2,315
Reg# N20229 US
Location Canton, OH
Via USA Aircraft Brokers, Inc.

1968 Cessna 177

1968 Cessna 177 for sale below typical asking range
$88,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,738
Reg# N29673 US
Location Greenbrier, AR
Via Keith Peterson

1975 Cessna 177

1975 Cessna 177 for sale below typical asking range
$89,192 ↓ -$2K
For Sale
Reg# F-BURU France
Location Spain
Via Aeroforsale
Listed 2mo ago

1974 Cessna 177RG

1974 Cessna 177RG for sale below typical asking range
$94,000
For Sale
Reg# N2086Q US
Location Lodi, CA
Via Keith Peterson

1970 Cessna 177B

1970 Cessna 177B for sale
$95,000
For Sale
Total Time 1,412
Reg# N30979 US
Location Thomasville, PA
Via Aaron Oyler

1976 Cessna 177B

1976 Cessna 177B for sale below typical asking range
$98,000
For Sale
Total Time 2,417
Reg# N22177 US
Location Oshkosh, WI
Via Douglas Gedney
Listed 1mo ago

1975 Cessna 177RG

1975 Cessna 177RG for sale below typical asking range
$99,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,395
Reg# N2740V US
Location Columbus, OH
Via Lane Aviation
Multiple sources

1971 Cessna 177RG

1971 Cessna 177RG for sale below typical asking range
$104,500
For Sale
Total Time 4,545
Location Anderson, IN
Via Indy Air Sales

Cessna 177 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
177B 1971–1978 4 124 kts (230 km/h) 650 nm (1,204 km) 950 lbs (431 kg) $85K – $183K The best fixed-gear Cardinal — a sleek, roomy four-seat high-wing tourer for a buyer who wants the Cardinal's style without retractable-gear maintenance. 13
177RG 1971–1978 4 144 kts (267 km/h) 800 nm (1,482 km) 1,000 lbs (454 kg) $94K – $190K The fast, retractable-gear Cardinal — for a buyer who wants the Cardinal's looks and roomy cabin with higher cruise speed than the fixed-gear models. 34

Compare Cessna 177

See how the Cessna 177 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

⏲ Compare 172 vs 177 vs 182 →
Cessna 177 vs Cessna 182 Cessna 177 vs Piper Arrow Cessna 177 vs Cessna 210 Cessna 177 vs Cessna 180 Cessna 177 vs Cessna 172

Cessna 177 Price & Cost

How much does a Cessna 177 cost? Used 177 prices: $62K – $199K, average $132K (median $132K); market reference $80K, across 29 priced of 78 active listings.

Cessna 177 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 177 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (9.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$5,580/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$18,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$150/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 2,000 hrs)$32,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

The base 177's Lycoming O-320 burns around 8-9 gph - economical for a four-seat aircraft, with the same large parts network as other O-320 Cessnas. Fixed gear keeps airframe maintenance simple. The 150-hp base 177 is among the most affordable Cardinals to buy and run; the main pre-buy considerations are engine time-since-overhaul, the stabilator and its slot-modification status, and corrosion on a 45-plus-year-old airframe. Ongoing costs are among the lowest for a four-seat certificated aircraft.

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

Buying a Used Cessna 177

Buying a Cessna 177 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna 177 Cardinal is a four-seat, fixed-gear single designed as a sleeker, more modern successor to the 172 - with a cantilever (strutless) wing, a wider cabin, and a stabilator tail giving it a distinctive, clean look. The original 1968 177 used a 150-hp Lycoming O-320 and cruised around 120 knots; later Cardinals moved to a 180-hp engine, and the retractable 177RG to 200 hp.

The Cardinal's design and the early-177 caveat. The Cardinal's strutless wing and forward-set doors give excellent visibility and ramp presence, and many owners consider it the best-handling and best-looking of the classic Cessna singles. The original 1968 150-hp 177, however, earned a reputation as underpowered, and its early stabilator drew handling criticism that Cessna addressed with a leading-edge slot and, from 1969, the 180-hp engine. Buyers should be clear which Cardinal they are evaluating.

177 versus 177B and 177RG. The 150-hp base 177 is the most affordable but least powerful Cardinal; the 180-hp 177B is the definitive fixed-gear Cardinal, with a constant-speed propeller and better all-round performance; the retractable 177RG (200 hp) is the fastest, cruising around 144 knots at the cost of gear-system maintenance. For most buyers the 177B is the sweet spot; the base 177 suits those who want the Cardinal's looks and handling at the lowest price and accept the lower power.

Buy it if you want the Cardinal's distinctive strutless-wing design, excellent visibility, and handling - and, for the base 150-hp 177, accept its lower power in exchange for the lowest entry price into the Cardinal line.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 177

About the Cessna 177 Cardinal
The Cessna 177 Cardinal was produced 1968–1978, initially with a Lycoming O-320 (150 hp) and upgraded from 1969 to an O-360 (180 hp, with a constant-speed prop on the 177B). The Cardinal features a distinctive cantilever wing (no struts), large aft-hinged doors, and a roomy four-seat cabin. It was designed as a modern 172 replacement but sold alongside the 172 throughout its production life. Cruise ranges from approximately 120 kt on the early 177 to approximately 140 kt on the 180-hp 177B.
Cardinal vs 172 — which should I buy?
The Cardinal offers more cabin room, a modern strut-free aesthetic, and (on the 177B) a constant-speed prop with 180 hp — more powerful than any fixed-gear 172 of the same era. The 172 wins on parts availability, maintenance familiarity, insurance cost, and resale depth. The Cardinal is for buyers who specifically want the cantilever wing design and larger cabin; the 172 is the practical choice for anyone weighing ownership practicality.
What should I inspect on a used Cessna 177 Cardinal?
The cantilever wing structure (no struts means the wing carries all loads, so spar inspection is important), Lycoming engine health (O-320 or O-360 depending on variant), the distinctive door hinges and latches (a different design from conventional Cessnas), and seat rail AD compliance. The Cardinal has its own AD set separate from the 172 — verify current compliance. A pre-buy by a shop familiar with the Cardinal type is recommended.
How fast is the 177 Cardinal and what does it carry?
It depends on variant. The early 177 (O-320, 150 hp) cruises approximately 120–125 kt; the 177B (O-360, 180 hp, constant-speed) cruises approximately 130–140 kt. Four seats, with useful load approximately 900–1,000 lb. The 177B is the performance Cardinal; the earlier 177/177A is the simpler but slower option.
Is the Cardinal well-supported?
Lycoming O-320/O-360 engine support is excellent. The Cardinal-specific airframe and its components have a dedicated owner community and parts network, though smaller than the 172's. A pre-buy from a Cardinal-experienced shop is strongly recommended.

Cessna 177 Inventory by Country

United States67
Canada5
Germany4
Denmark2
Lena1
Lfcs1

Cessna 177 by Price

Under $100k9
Under $200k79
Under $300k79
Under $500k79

Cessna 177 by Decade

1960s12
1970s66

Recently Sold Cessna 177

1974 177RG$184,885
1969 177A$105,000

Cessna 177 Safety Record

Across all 177 variants, 766 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2026. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

766

Total Events

399

Incidents

84

Serious

141

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Jan 13, 2026 Ocoee, TN Incident —
Oct 16, 2025 Cynthiana, KY Serious —
Jul 08, 2025 Jenison, MI Minor The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control and clearance from trees during takeoff.
Jun 27, 2025 Kelleys Island, OH Minor The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in gusting crosswind conditions.
Jun 24, 2025 Calera, AL Incident —

NTSB records 1982–2026. Includes all Cessna 177 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

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.
Listings last refreshed 13 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data