Cessna 177 Cardinal financing, specs & price
Cantilever wing, stabilator, wide doors. Built 1968-1978; Lycoming O-320/O-360 (150-180 hp); 4 seats; 132-knot cruise.
What a 177 Cardinal costs to finance
Payment examples at three price points, using typical lender guidelines for single-engine aircraft and a 7.75% illustrative APR. Your rate depends on credit, loan size, term and the specific airplane.
| Example | Price | Down | Loan | Term | Payment @ 7.75% | Range @ 6.99–9.99% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Older / higher-time | $40,000 | 15% ($6,000) | $34,000 | 15 yrs | $320/mo | $305–$365 |
| Mid-market (most common) | $65,000 | 15% ($9,750) | $55,250 | 15 yrs | $520/mo | $496–$593 |
| Late / low-time | $95,000 | 15% ($14,250) | $80,750 | 20 yrs | $663/mo | $626–$779 |
Principal and interest only; excludes insurance, taxes and fees. Prices are typical asking ranges from our aircraft database — verify any specific airplane with Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and a pre-buy inspection. Not a quote or commitment to lend.
Get real numbers for your 177 Cardinal
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177 Cardinal specifications & operating economics
Performance & capacity
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320/O-360 (150-180 hp)
- Production
- 1968-1978
- Seats
- 4
- Cruise
- 132 kts
- Range
- 840 NM
- Fuel capacity
- 60 gal
Fuel economics (September 2026)
- Fuel burn
- 9 gph
- Fuel cost per hour
- $65
- Fuel cost per nautical mile
- $0.49
- Endurance (no reserve)
- 6.7 hrs
- Fuel for 100 hrs/yr
- $6,516
100LL at $7.24/gal (AirNav national average, September 2026).
What lenders and underwriters look at on a 177 Cardinal
- Stabilator requires careful rigging—check logs
- 177RG variant has retractable gear—higher insurance
- Parts availability moderate
- Early 150hp models underpowered
Pre-buy inspection focus areas
- Stabilator hinge corrosion and play
- Wing spar carry-through
- Fuel tank bladder condition
- Gear motor/actuator (RG models)
Pre-buy inspections are typically paid out of pocket, not financed. See the pre-buy checklist.
Cessna 177 Cardinal financing FAQs
How much does a Cessna 177 Cardinal cost?
Typical asking prices for a Cessna 177 Cardinal run from about $40,000 for older or higher-time examples to $95,000 for late, low-time ones, with most trading near $65,000. Engine time, avionics, damage history and paint/interior drive the spread — confirm with a Vref or Aircraft Bluebook valuation and a pre-buy inspection.
What is the monthly payment on a Cessna 177 Cardinal?
At a $65,000 purchase price with 15% down ($9,750), a $55,250 loan over 15 years is about $520 per month at 7.75% APR, or roughly $496–$593 across the 6.99%–9.99% range lenders published as of September 2026. Principal and interest only.
How much down payment do I need for a Cessna 177 Cardinal?
Plan on at least 15% down for a single-engine aircraft built after 1960. Twenty-year terms are generally available on loans of $75,000 or more.
What does a Cessna 177 Cardinal cost to fly per hour in fuel?
At about 9 gallons per hour and the September 2026 national average of $7.24 per gallon for 100LL, fuel alone is roughly $65 per hour, or about $0.49 per nautical mile at a 132-knot cruise. Add reserves, insurance, storage and the annual for the full picture.
Can I finance an older Cessna 177 Cardinal?
Usually, yes. Lenders finance piston singles without a fixed age limit, though pre-1960 aircraft may need a larger down payment and shorter term, and airframes over 10,000 hours are often excluded. Complete logbooks, AD compliance and a clean pre-buy matter more than the year on an older 177 Cardinal.
More Cessna aircraft
- Cessna 150 · ~$25,000
- Cessna 152 · ~$30,000
- Cessna 162 Skycatcher · ~$75,000
- Cessna 170B · ~$50,000
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk · ~$125,000
- Cessna 175 Skylark · ~$38,000
- Cessna 180 Skywagon · ~$140,000
- Cessna 182 Skylane · ~$150,000
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