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.
60 used Cessna 177 aircraft for sale under $500,000 · 4-seat · $50K – $199K · updated 6 hours ago
About the Cessna 177
The Cessna 177 Cardinal is one of Cessna's most distinctive singles — a sleek four-seat high-wing with a strutless cantilever wing, wide doors and excellent visibility, designed as a more modern successor to the 172. It comes in two sub-families: the fixed-gear 177, 177A and 177B, and the faster retractable-gear 177RG Cardinal RG. Loved for its looks and roomy cabin, the Cardinal has a devoted following. See the live price range and median above for the Cessna 177, Cardinal and 177RG listings currently on the market.
Cessna 177 Specifications
Model specThe Cessna 177 is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 120–140 kt (222–259 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).
60 Cessna 177 For Sale
Browse all 60 listings →There are currently 60 used Cessna 177 for sale, ranging from $50,654 to $199,000, with a median asking price of $131,981.
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) | $95K – $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. | 10 |
| 177RG | 1971–1978 | 4 | 140 kts (259 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. | 25 |
Compare Cessna 177
See how the Cessna 177 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Cessna 177 Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 177 cost? Used 177 prices: $50K – $199K, average $137K (median $131K), across 60 priced of 60 active listings.
Based on 23 priced listings.
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.
Buying a Used Cessna 177
Every Cessna 177 faces a mandatory 2,000-hour overhaul, so the single biggest factor in used price is how much time remains before that overhaul is due — a fresh-overhaul airframe can be worth a large share of the $32,000 overhaul cost more than one approaching its limit.
What to check before buying
- Time to overhaul — hours and years remaining to the 2,000-hour limit; this dominates resale value more than total time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records; missing logs cut value and complicate financing.
- Damage history — any prior accident, hard landing or blade strike; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a glass panel vs steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 177
What are the different Cessna 177 Cardinal models?
What is the difference between the Cessna 172 and 177 Cardinal?
What is the difference between the 177 and the 177RG?
How much does a Cessna 177 Cardinal cost?
What engine does the Cessna 177 Cardinal use?
How many seats does a Cessna 177 Cardinal have?
Is the Cessna 177 Cardinal a good airplane?
Is the Cessna 177 Cardinal still in production?
Cessna 177 Inventory by Country
| United States | 47 |
| Canada | 5 |
| Germany | 4 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| France | 2 |
| Spain | 1 |
Cessna 177 Inventory by State
| Texas | 5 |
| Florida | 5 |
| California | 3 |
| Ohio | 3 |
| Louisiana | 2 |
| Massachusetts | 2 |
| Minnesota | 2 |
| North Carolina | 2 |
| Indiana | 2 |
| Kansas | 2 |
Cessna 177 by Price
| Under $100k | 6 |
| Under $200k | 61 |
| Under $300k | 61 |
| Under $500k | 61 |
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.
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.