Buying a Cessna 172 XP

[bbursey]

Looked aorund for awhile at 182's, 172's, Pa-28 235's, archers, etc. trying to find the best plane for the money and what I'll be using it for. I favor the 182 but I'm trying to avoid the leap of $30,000 to get me there. Found a 1977 Cessna 172 XP, Very nice, REAL low time, IFR, king avionics, stol kit, new paint and interior. Searching around for months it wasn't untill this morning when I noticed one for sale did I even think twice or really know what the XP was.

I've done all that I can trying to uncover anything and everything on the XP's. Havn't heard anything to be alarmed of yet... Is there any opinions out there as to a reason why I might should reconsider a C-172 xp?

[Denny of Oakland]

The 172XP is a great aircraft and does not really have any faults I am aware of.

Denny of Oakland

[BravoRomeo]

Nothing to reconsider. It is just a bigger 172 . I own her "fat sister", the French made FR 172 "Rocket", wich has the same engine (excepting for 15 more HP´s, it´s the same 6 cylinder Continental IO-360) and, basically, is the same aircraft. From my own experience and my parking neighbour, who owns a XP, nothing wrong about it.

I only can tell that the bigger power won´t give you much more speed (I make 125KTS cruise speed), but during the climb, take off or any other maneuver where a 160HP feels in the edge, with this one you´ll NOTICE THE POWER. Besides, the C/S prop, cowl flaps and the usual engine monitoring instruments you´ll find on them (as said, usually they are better equiped to do this job), will enable you to have a better control of every engine parameter, wich is always something to be thankful.

Go for the XP... unless you want mine!!

[bluesideup]

If you have a chance to buy one with 210hp you should go for it. The USAF used a 172 with 210 hp(T-41). It was a great performer at higher altitude airports.

[BravoRomeo]

Well, yes.

As mentioned, mine is the 210HP, and when we, me and the guy with the XP, climb up to the mountains (13.000 ft) I perform slightly better, take off better... fly better. Seems like not much difference, just 15HP, but I do have slightly longer wings too, and you know what it means. A few HP´s, a few inches more in the wings, and here we go. Not like a Cherokee compared to a Malibu, but better.

Anyway, if you can´t find that T-41 (or you don´t buy mine hee hee hee ), a XP would be alright too. Much better than a regular 172.

[bluesideup]

Anything is better than a standard 172. They are ok for what they are, but very very limited.

[roy russen]

I'm 25% owner in a 1975 PA-235, what a great plane it has power,range(82 gals usable) and payload second to none. I love my plane

[Pepper]

I rented an XP for what I correctly predicted would be my 80 yr. old mother's last flight with me. It cost a bundle, but I wanted to do something special for her. The XP didn't disappoint. It was significantly more comfortable than the old 172s I'm used to, and the stock avionics and autopilot worked the way you imagine they should work. (I.e., I didn't have to work as hard flying the autopilot as I usually do flying the plane.) I can't say that the performance was so much better as to justify the extra cost, but the older I get the more I care about how comfortable I am getting there, as opposed to how fast I get there. All considered, the XP left a very good impression on me.

[T206Driver]

I currently own a 172XP and have loved it. I'm also an A&P IA so here is a couple of things to consider on the maintenance end. For your money's worth you should make sure the engine is an IO-360-K or KB because then you will have 2000 hr TBO instead of 1800. Also always keep your engine baffeling in excellent shape and the injectors clean, because the weak spot on these engines is the cylinders. The XP doesn't seem to have the same cylinder problems as the Piper Seneca but it isn't as good as a Lycoming. If you find a 195 HP 172XP and want to upgrade to 215 HP it can be done with an STC from Isham Inc. for around $1900 + labor. I have to sell my XP because I'm now a missionary pilot in Bolivia S. America but the good news is that I'm selling it to a humanitarian organization here where I live so I will still get to fly it. Good luck and if you ever have any questions feel free to ask.

[gflores71@hotma]

T206,

Let me know how I can get a hold of you in Bolivia, I live in Miami but recently purchased a 79 XP with 1800 hrs TTAF & E. It is undergoing a full engine and prop overhaul, Isham STC, and possible Sportsman STOL.

I will base it in Cochabamba at first and then possibly in Santa Cruz

Gilbert

gflores71@hotmail.com

[Moose]

Maybe someone can explain the TBO times for a Cessna 172XP to me. I have been told everything from 1500 hours to 2000 hours for the IO-360-K. I believe that the KB is TBO at 2000 hours and the K is 1500 hours. Can someone please confirm? I have owned my XP for 10 years and love it. Have flown it to many mountain airports in the Sierra Nevada's and Grand Canyon area. Currently on the East Coast and missing the mountain flying. Thanks.

[Denny of Oakland]

Service Letter SIL98-94 Time Between Overhaul for the engine is 1500-hours or 12-years this is located at http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/SIL98-9A.pdf

[Gerpombo]

Hi, I am looking for a Cessna 172XP with the Isham modification to have 210 HP. Any one with this option for sale?

thanks,

German Pombo

[wjgesq]

Originally Posted by bbursey

Looked aorund for awhile at 182's, 172's, Pa-28 235's, archers, etc. trying to find the best plane for the money and what I'll be using it for. I favor the 182 but I'm trying to avoid the leap of $30,000 to get me there. Found a 1977 Cessna 172 XP, Very nice, REAL low time, IFR, king avionics, stol kit, new paint and interior. Searching around for months it wasn't untill this morning when I noticed one for sale did I even think twice or really know what the XP was.

I've done all that I can trying to uncover anything and everything on the XP's. Havn't heard anything to be alarmed of yet... Is there any opinions out there as to a reason why I might should reconsider a C-172 xp?

I know this is an old post, but I was just thinking the same thing and then came across this post. Would like something with more speed than the Warrior II, but the 182's always seem out of reach. In fact, the 182's are so high that you can have some damn nice Cherokee Six to select from for the price of a 182. Seems like an XP might be a very reasonable compromise and the performance should not be that much different?