Cessna Buyer's Guide: Used & New

Cessna is undoubtedly one of the most popular airplane manufacturers for pilots like you and me. These are the details to consider when buying a Cessna.

Buying an airplane is likely one of the biggest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime. And if you’ve begun your search for the perfect plane, then there’s no doubt Cessna has come up again and again. While you hone in on the perfect Cessna, use this buyer’s guide as your number resource when considering your purchase.

When deciding between buying a new or used Cessna, the most important things to consider are your budget, the plane’s condition, how a Cessna compares to other planes, how many seats you want, how much hangar space you have, insurance costs, and what type of fuel it runs on.

The Cessna is one of the most popular general aviation aircraft in use today. It has been around since 1954, when it was first introduced by Cessna Aircraft Company. The company that created the iconic "C" logo for their planes. This post will compare buying a new Cessna to buying a used Cessna, and include all of the details that potential buyers need to keep in mind before you make your decision.

The most important thing to us at SkyTough is that our readers are provided with accurate and reliable content. The only way to ensure this is to combine our own knowledge with hours of research and input from other experts in the field. The results are the articles we publish. When you’re finished with this article, you should know everything to keep in mind when buying a Cessna. Enjoy!

‍Cessna Buyer’s Guide

When buying a Cessna, there are many factors to consider. You want to make sure you get the right plane for you, but you don’t want to overspend either. On the flip side, you shouldn’t go in looking for the lowest price plane on the market and then be left with a lemon. Let’s take a look at everything you should consider before buying a new Cessna.

Should I Buy A New Or Used Cessna?

The cost of a new or used Cessna can vary greatly depending on the model you choose and the features you require. There are also many different ways to finance your purchase, so it's important to do your research and find the option that best fits your needs.

When buying a new Cessna, you have the option of buying it through a third party financing service. These services provide an easy way to pay your cessna off over time and add all the fees into one single monthly payment. With this method, there are no long-term contracts or credit checks required; however, having these additional fees can often make buying a new cessna more expensive.

The alternative to buying through a third party finance service is buying your new Cessna with cash or financing it yourself on the spot. With this method, you are not required to pay any additional fees and will have full control over how much of your own money goes towards the purchase of your airplane. However, you will need to have good credit and be able to afford a large down payment in order to qualify for a loan.

When buying a used Cessna, there are many things you'll need to consider as well. The most important factor is the condition of the aircraft. Make sure to get an independent inspection from a third party to ensure that everything is in working order. You should also consider buying an extended warranty for your airplane, especially if you cannot afford the repairs yourself or want extra protection against future problems with your aircraft.

Another important factor when buying a used Cessna is how many hours are on each engine and propeller. If either of these start to run low, they will need to be replaced soon. This can cost up to $20,000 for each engine or propeller that needs replacement; so buying an airplane with lower-than average hours is a smart way of minimizing future costs.

Finally, when buying a used Cessna you should consider the location and availability of parts. Some cessna's are only serviced at one location, so buying from a seller close to that service center can be helpful in the future.

What’s Your Budget For A Cessna?

When buying a Cessna, the first thing you need to do is set your budget. How much money are you willing to spend? This is an important question, because it will help you determine which type of Cessna is best for you.

If you have a lot of money to spend, buying a new Cessna is probably your best option. The price of buying brand-new will be more expensive than buying a used Cessna, but buying new will also come with certain benefits. For example, buying brand-new means that your plane doesn’t have any wear and tear, and it will come with a warranty.

If you don’t have as much money to spend, buying a used Cessna might be a better option. You can find used Cessnas for sale at a variety of price points, so buying used is more affordable than buying new. If you’re hoping to spend less than $100,000, buying a used Cessna is likely going to be the only route you can take.

How Long Do You Want Your Cessna To Last?

One of the most important things to consider when buying a Cessna is how long you want it to last. If you plan on using your Cessna for the next 20 years, buying a new one with an extended warranty is probably your best bet. However, if you want to save money and don't mind buying another airplane in five or six years, buying used ones could be more cost-effective.

How Much Does A Cessna Cost?

The price of a new Cessna varies greatly depending on the model and features you need. A basic cessna 172 will cost around $380,000 while a fully loaded cessna 182 with all the bells and whistles can cost up to $515,000 or more! For many of us out there, dropping more than half a million dollars on a new Cessna 182 is out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on a plane of your own.

A used Cessna is generally much cheaper than buying new because it has already been depreciated. However, the price varies greatly depending on the age and condition of the aircraft. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 for a basic Cessna 172 up to $250,000 or more for a fully loaded Cessna 182. As you can see, even in used condition, a Cessna 182 is going to set you back a pretty penny.

Heck, even $50,000 for a used 172 is no small amount of change. I know what you’re thinking, what’s the lowest amount of money I can spend to get into a Cessna? That was the same thing on my mind too, since I’ve wanted to buy a Cessna of my own since I was a little boy and sat in one for the first time. Let’s take a look.

What’s The Cheapest Cessna Airplane?

The most affordable Cessna that you can buy is the Cessna 150. Depending on how good of a deal you can find on one, you can possibly score a 150 of your own for about $15,000. But that’s going to be a needle in the haystack and chances are high that it’s not going to be in the best of shape at that price. More often than not, you’ll need to spend a little more to get a turn key Cessna 150 that’s ready to go.

A used Cessna 150 is only about $40,000 new in today's market. If buying a used one, you will need to look at the hours of use on it and how many owners have been through since production stopped in 1985. When buying any aircraft, buying from an owner who has had their plane for over ten years is a plus, as most of the expensive problems with planes have been discovered and fixed by then.

The Cessna 150 is a great plane to buy for those new to flying because it is forgiving and has low operating costs. It can cruise at around 120 mph and has a range of about 500 miles. The fuel economy on the Cessna 150 is around 18 mpg, so a cross-country trip won't break the bank. Overall, this is the cheapest Cessna you can buy, and it’s still a great plane to consider!

Why Should I Buy A Cessna Over Other Popular Brands?

If you are looking for a reliable aircraft that will be able to handle all types of weather conditions, then the Cessna should be your top option. The company has been around since 1927 and is known today as one of the best brands in terms of performance, no matter if you just got your wings and became a pilot yourself or if you’re an experienced commercial pilot just looking to enjoy retirement.

Some of the reasons why you should buy a Cessna over other popular brands include:

• The company has a strong reputation and is known for its high-quality aircraft.
• Cessnas are able to handle all types of weather conditions, making them perfect for any flying needs.
• They are also some of the most fuel-efficient aircraft on the market, ensuring that you'll be able to save money on your flying costs.

So if you're looking for an aircraft that is sure to deliver, then a Cessna should be at the top of your list.

Is Piper As Good As Cessna?

Piper is another popular brand of planes, but there are many differences between it and Cessna. Piper has a history of making planes for the military, but doesn't have much experience with civilian craft. In fact, Piper didn't get into small aircraft production until after Cessna had already been around for over 20 years!

Piper's lightweight planes are well-suited to flying through rugged terrain, which is great for bush pilots. They have a reputation of being very durable and reliable. So if you’re looking to get into bush planes, Piper might be a great option for you. In fact, check out our article on the different types of bush planes to see what your best options are.

Which Model Cessna Do I Need?

Before you start looking for a Cessna to buy, you should try to get an idea of which model you actually want to purchase. This will largely depend on what you’re hoping to get out of your Cessna, how many seats you want, what your budget is, and more. You don’t want to start your search with no idea, since the different models of Cessna airplanes will vary widely in price.

So it’s a good idea to at least have a general sense of which model you’re looking for. Here are some of the most common models that you might consider:

• Cessna 150/152 Club
• Cessna 172 Skyhawk
• Cessna 182 Skylane
• Cessna 206 Stationair

This list is by no means all-inclusive or indicative of which Cessna you should buy, but rather just to show you some of the popular models that you’re likely to see during your search for the perfect plane!

How Many Seats Do You Need?

If you’re buying a Cessna for private use, your first priority should be how many seats the plane has. If it only has room for the pilot, then it’s not going to be much good for a family vacation. If you want to do some flying with friends or family members, then you’ll probably want to look for a plane that has at least two seats.

That said, many Cessna models have larger seat configurations, with four- and six-seaters being among the most common Cessnas in the skies. Six-seater planes, like the Cessna 206 Stationair are incredibly versatile and perfect for someone trying to start a charter business or if you just want the ability to carry as many passengers as possible.

On the same note, you don’t want to overdo it when it comes to seating, either. That’s one of the reasons that the Cessna 172 is so popular. It has four seats, which makes it plenty capable of carrying a few passengers, but you aren’t overdoing it with two more seats that will rarely (if ever) get used.

What Are The Most Popular Cessna Models?

The most popular Cessna airplane is without a doubt the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Bought by pilots and enthusiasts all over the world since it’s introduction, this single-engine plane has a high-wing configuration and four seats. It is the most produced airplane in history. There have been over 43,000 Cessna 172s built.

The second most popular model is the Cessna 182 Skylane. It is a four-seat, single engine airplane.  It has a fixed tricycle landing gear and a high wing. Over 17,000 have been produced. For the most part (and for most prospective buyers), the list stops here. That’s because most people will either buy the Skyhawk or the Skylane, but they aren’t the only options!

Third on the list is the Cessna 206 Stationair. It is a six-seat, single engine airplane.  The aircraft has retractable landing gear and a high wing configuration. Over 13,000 Cessna 206s have been built since the first one came off of the assembly line in 1958. This is a great option if you’re in the market for a Cessna capable of carrying as many passengers as possible.

The fourth most popular model is the Cessna 205 Stationair AKA “the bush plane”. It is a six-seat, single engine airplane that has retractable landing gear and high wing. Over 11,000 of these have been built since 1962 when it was introduced into production.

The last on the list of most popular Cessna airplanes is one of my personal favorites — The Cessna 172RG Cutlass II. It is a four-seat, single engine airplane.  The 172RG has a retractable landing gear and high wing like the 206 and 205, but with many of the same amenities of the standard 172 Skyhawk.

Additional Details to Consider When Buying A Cessna

Now that we’ve gone over some of the major questions that come up when you’re buying a Cessna, let’s look into a few other details that you’ll want to keep in mind. These are applicable to just about any brand and don’t have to be Cessna-specific, but for this guide I’ll be answering them all from the veil of a Cessna purchase.

How Much Hangar Space Do You Have?

This is something you’ll want to take into account before purchasing a plane – how much hangar space do you have? If you live in a small town or city, you may not have the space to store a plane. As you can expect, some models (like the 206 Stationair) are far bigger than other Cessna models (like the 150/152 Club).

So you want to make sure you have more than enough space to store the specific model that you're looking for.

If you want more details on hangar costs and space, check out our in-depth analysis between buying, building, or renting an airplane hangar. In that article, you’ll find that renting is the most affordable option, but you have significantly more leeway if you buy or build a hangar of your own!

Consider Cessna Insurance Costs

When it comes to the cost of owning and operating a Cessna, there are many factors to consider. A high number of people looking to buy a plane do not take all of the different fixed and variable costs of airplane ownership into account, and that’s a mistake. Insurance is one of the most important additional costs of owning a plane that you’ll want to think about.

The cost of insurance will vary depending on many factors, including the age and type of plane, the pilot's experience, and the location where you live. In general, though, Cessna owners can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2000 per year for insurance coverage, but it can be as little as $150 per year for liability coverage only.

There are many different types of insurance available, and it is important to choose the right policy for your needs. Some insurers offer basic liability coverage, while others offer more comprehensive policies that include damage to the plane as well.

The following are some important questions to consider when choosing an insurance policy for your Cessna:

• What problems do you typically have?
• What type of coverage do you need?
• How much are you willing to pay in premiums?
• Does the policy include damage to the plane?
• What deductible applies in case of a crash or other damages?

With these questions in mind, you should be able to find the right policy for you, and hopefully at a price that fits your budget!

What Kind Of Fuel Do Cessna Airplanes Use?

Cessna airplanes use a variety of different types of fuel. The most common type is aviation gasoline, which is also known as avgas. Avgas is a type of gasoline that contains lead as an octane rating booster. That means it also has a high flash point, which makes it less flammable.  Other types of fuel that Cessna airplanes can use include jet fuel, diesel fuel, and aviation turbine fuel.

There are a few different types of jet fuel, but the most common is kerosene. Kerosene is a type of hydrocarbon that is used in lamps and stoves. The purpose of kerosene is to fuel jet engines, and it has a lower flash point than avgas does which means that it's a bit more flammable, so be careful if you’re ever handling this stuff by hand.

Is A New Cessna Worth The Price?

A new Cessna has a higher price tag than buying used. However, buying new may be worth it for many buyers. When buying new you can customize the aircraft to your needs and get extras that are included in the original cost, such as leather seats or cabin-class air conditioning. You can often find great deals on pre-owned aircraft, but buying new is a viable option as well.

In the end, the decision to buy a new or a used Cessna will be different each and every person. I wish I could just simply tell you which one was the better option, but it’s a subjective question that’s much more nuanced than that. Personally, I would save the money and buy a used Cessna over a new one, but that’s just me.

For the same amount of money, you can get a lot more airplane if you buy used. But you are then of course opening yourself up to the possibility of having issues and/or failure that just wouldn’t be present in a brand new Cessna. It’s a tough choice to make, but with this guide in mind you should have no trouble deciding on the perfect Cessna for you.