The Cessna 182 Skylane has been built, with one interruption, since 1956. More than 23,000 were produced before Cessna paused the line in 1986. Production resumed in 1997 and continues today. That long history means the market spans nearly seven decades of variants — from Continental-engined classics worth $100,000 to new Turbo Skylanes leaving the factory at over $900,000.

Sprinkle has recorded 5,889 Cessna 182 transactions. Here is what they reveal about price, variants, and value in 2026.

Price by Variant: The Summary Table

Variant	Years	Median Sale Price	Transactions
Classic (pre-1960)	1956–1959	~$100,000	278
182C–182N	1960–1971	~$129,000	1,411
182P	1972–1976	~$165,000	883
182Q / 182R	1977–1986	~$175,000	1,070
182RG / TR182 (retractable)	1978–1986	~$165,000	285
182S	1997–2002	~$260,000	364
182T	2001–present	~$350,000	732
T182T (Turbo)	2001–present	~$345,000	766

These are median sale prices, not asking prices. Current listings typically run 5–15% above where aircraft ultimately transact.

→ Browse all Cessna 182 Skylanes currently for sale on Sprinkle

The Production Timeline (and Why It Matters to Your Budget)

Understanding Cessna's production history is essential to navigating 182 pricing. The aircraft was continuously developed in letter-suffix variants from 1956 through 1986 — 182, 182A, 182B… through 182R — before Cessna shut its piston aircraft lines during the general aviation crisis of the mid-1980s. A product liability reform act eventually brought the company back, and the modernised 182S arrived in 1997 followed by the current 182T in 2001.

The practical implication: there is an eleven-year production gap between 1986 and 1997. Aircraft built in that period simply do not exist. This creates a clear divide in the market between pre-gap classics and post-gap modern aircraft, with a substantial jump in price at the crossover.

The Classic Era: 1956–1971 (182 through 182N)

The earliest Skylanes used Continental O-470 engines producing 230 hp. These aircraft are lighter, simpler, and — relative to what they offer — represent some of the best value in the 182 family. Our 1,689 transactions on pre-1972 aircraft show median prices from roughly $100,000 for the oldest examples through $130,000 for early-1970s aircraft in reasonable condition.

A clean 1966 182J with fresh paint and updated avionics typically changes hands between $130,000 and $160,000. A heavily modified 1965 182H with STC'd engine upgrades can reach $200,000. Budget examples with deferred maintenance and tired engines start below $90,000, but factor in the cost of bringing them up to airworthiness.

The 182K (1967) and 182L (1968) introduced swept-back vertical stabilisers that became the signature look of the modern Skylane. Many buyers specifically seek these later pre-1972 variants for the updated aesthetics at classic-era prices.

The Sweet Spot: 182P, Q and R (1972–1986)

This is where the market is deepest. Our database holds 1,953 transactions for 182P through 182R aircraft — more than any other era combined. Median prices range from $165,000 (182P) to $175,000 (182Q/R), with significant variation based on total time, engine time remaining, and avionics fitment.

The 182P (1972–1976) brought a redesigned interior and O-470-U engine. At a median $165,000, a clean 182P with low-time engine and a functioning autopilot is achievable around $185,000–$210,000. High-time examples needing an overhaul start around $115,000.

The 182Q (1977–1981) and 182R (1981–1986) are considered by many experienced owners to be the pick of the classic line. The 182R switched to a Lycoming O-540 engine — a powerplant with a strong reputation for longevity — and the later examples were fitted with improved fuel systems. A well-maintained 182R with a recent engine overhaul regularly transacts between $200,000 and $290,000.

One notable data point: a 1985 182R in our records sold for $323,000 — a premium justified by 5,904 total time hours and a recently overhauled engine. Condition and maintenance history drive wide spreads in this segment.

→ See the full Cessna 182 Skylane price guide with historical data

The Retractable: 182RG and TR182 (1978–1986)

Cessna produced a retractable-gear version of the 182 from 1978 to 1986. The 182RG and turbocharged TR182 added roughly 15 kt of cruise speed but introduced landing gear complexity that some owners prefer to avoid. Our 285 retractable transactions show a median price of around $165,000 — similar to fixed-gear 182P aircraft despite being newer.

The market discounts the RG slightly for its gear complexity and the need for a complex aircraft endorsement. Turbo-normalised examples (sometimes called "Turbo Normalised 182RG") tend to fetch a modest premium over standard RG aircraft. Buyers who want the extra speed and are comfortable with the systems find the TR182 offers genuine value.

The Modern Era: 182S and 182T (1997–Present)

When Cessna resumed 182 production in 1997, the aircraft returned meaningfully updated. The 182S featured a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5, an airframe restressed to current standards, and new interior and avionics compatibility. From 1997 to 2002, Cessna produced 364 182S aircraft that now transact at a median of roughly $260,000.

The 182T arrived in 2001 and introduced the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit as an option — later as standard equipment — alongside a strengthened airframe and improved useful load. With 732 transactions in our database, these aircraft command a median of about $350,000.

Recent 182T sale prices from our records include:

2004 182T (2,417 hrs): $175,000 in 2026
2005 182T (4,350 hrs): $275,000 in 2026
2007 182T (2,545 hrs): $285,000–$459,000 depending on condition
2009 182T (3,600 hrs): $475,000 in early 2026
2018 182T (1,040 hrs): $585,000 in 2026
2022 182T (280 hrs): $625,000 in late 2025

The Turbo Skylane (T182T) uses a turbocharged and intercooled Lycoming TIO-540 to maintain sea-level power to high altitudes, making it particularly popular in the western US. T182T aircraft transact at a median of approximately $345,000, though recent-build turbos command substantially more. A 2009 T182T (1,300 hrs) sold for $523,000; a 2006 T182T (1,440 hrs) sold for $375,000.

→ See Cessna 182T Skylanes currently for sale

New-Build Prices: The Sticker Shock Is Real

New Cessna 182 production continues at Textron Aviation's Wichita facility. Our data on recently built examples makes clear how much new aircraft prices have inflated:

Build Year	Average Sale Price	Transactions
2019	$627,000	14
2021	$652,000	13
2022	$669,000	39
2023	$762,000	27
2024	$816,000	40
2025	$912,000	30

A new 2025 Cessna T182T Turbo Skylane lists above $900,000. A near-new 2024 example with 156 hours recently sold for $860,000. This price trajectory — roughly 45% appreciation in six years — reflects both Cessna's own price increases and a global piston aircraft market that has tightened considerably since 2020.

The implication for buyers: a well-maintained 2010 182T at $440,000–$485,000 offers substantially more aircraft per dollar than a new-build at $900,000 — at the cost of avionics generation and warranty coverage.

How Fast Do They Sell?

Among 182s that sold within a year of listing, the average time on market was 61 days. That is materially faster than many comparable aircraft. The Beechcraft Bonanza, for comparison, typically takes longer to find a buyer. The Piper Comanche averages 138 days.

The 182's liquid market reflects what every flying club instructor knows: this is the aircraft most pilots want. Demand is broad-based across buyers of every experience level and every budget tier, from the student pilot graduating from a 172 to the owner-flyer looking for a dependable cross-country machine. There are currently 469 Cessna 182s listed on Sprinkle — the largest inventory of any single touring aircraft model on the platform — and 56 active buyers waiting for the right one.

What to Budget: Total Acquisition Cost

Purchase price is only part of the equation. For any 182 acquisition, budget accordingly:

Pre-purchase inspection: $800–$2,000 depending on location and complexity. Never skip this.
Annual inspection: $1,200–$3,500 for a standard annual on a well-maintained aircraft; more if deferred maintenance surfaces.
Engine reserve: The O-470 and O-540 have Time Between Overhaul (TBO) limits around 2,000 hours and overhauls cost $18,000–$30,000. If you buy a 182P with 4,500 total time and 1,200 hrs since major overhaul, you have roughly 800 hours before another overhaul — set aside $15–25/hr accordingly.
Avionics: Classic-era 182s frequently carry ageing avionics. A basic panel refresh with a Garmin GNX 375 and autopilot interface can run $15,000–$40,000. Budget separately if you need IFR capability.
Insurance: Typically $1,800–$3,500/year for a private pilot with reasonable hours on type, though rates vary significantly by experience and hull value.
Hangar and fuel: Expect $3,000–$8,000/year for a tee hangar or shared arrangement. The 182 burns 12–15 gallons per hour depending on power setting and altitude; at current avgas prices, budget $75–100/hour in fuel alone.

A frequently-flown 182P with 200 hours/year might cost $25,000–$35,000 per year in all-in operating costs once purchase, insurance, fuel, hangar, and maintenance are combined — roughly $125–175 per flight hour. A new 182T at $850,000 with the same utilisation will exceed $60,000/year. These are approximations; actual costs vary enormously based on aircraft condition, location, and usage.

→ See all 469 Cessna 182 Skylanes currently listed on Sprinkle

Which 182 Is Right for Your Budget?

Based on 5,889 transactions, the 182 market breaks into three natural buying tiers:

Under $175,000: Classic-era aircraft (pre-1977). Genuine value if you are comfortable with older avionics and Continental O-470 maintenance. Buyer pool is thinner — these aircraft require more careful pre-purchase inspection and often more disciplined maintenance. The 1966–1971 variants (182J through 182N) represent the best compromise of modern looks and classic-era pricing.

$175,000–$300,000: The 1977–1986 and lightly used post-gap aircraft. This is where the most transactions occur and where the market is most liquid. A 182R with fresh engine and updated panel at $230,000–$270,000 is the aircraft that most buyers end up in. The 182S from 1997–2000 also falls in this range and brings modern fuel injection.

$300,000 and above: The 182T and T182T era — glass cockpit, modern airframe, known maintenance history. You are paying for recency, avionics, and the reduced uncertainty that comes with a maintained aircraft of more recent manufacture. For owners who fly IFR regularly or want G1000 and ADS-B from the outset, this bracket is hard to avoid.