This 2003 Diamond DA40-180 Star Is a Near Zero-Time Engine ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Low airframe hours, a blank-canvas exterior paint scheme, and an industry-leading safety pedigree anchor this highly efficient four-seater.

FLYING Staff

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

2003 Diamond DA40 [Credit: Aerista]

Key Takeaways:

The 2003 Diamond DA40 is featured as a top pick, noted for its composite architecture, strong safety reputation, low 1,800 total airframe hours, and zero damage history, making it a lucrative asset.
It is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming IO-360-M1A engine with only 5 hours since a major overhaul in June 2026, complemented by a Power Flow exhaust and a refurbished MT composite propeller with 62 hours since its overhaul.
The aircraft boasts a capable IFR-ready panel, including dual WAAS-certified Garmin GNS 530/430 navigators, a dual HSI setup, and a Bendix/King KAP 140 three-axis autopilot.
Listed at $268,900, this turn-key DA40 offers exceptional value with its modern upgrades, meticulous maintenance (including an annual completed in June 2026), and suitability for private owners or flight schools.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2003 Diamond DA40.

When it comes to blending futuristic composite architecture with an unyielding, industry-leading reputation for safety, the Diamond DA40 lies in the upper echelon of those in its class. This particular aircraft offers a rare chance to bypass the typical structural wear of legacy aluminum airframes. With a low 1,800 total airframe hours, zero damage history, and a suite of major modern enhancements, this sleek four-seater stands out as a highly lucrative asset whether you’re a private owner building cross-country hours or a flight school operator looking for immediate fleet reliability.

Tucked neatly beneath the cowling sits a powertrain that offers a remarkable blend of fresh-overhaul reliability and textbook operating economy, a 180 hp, fuel-injected Lycoming IO-360-M1A engine that has logged a mere 5 hours since a comprehensive major overhaul in June 2026. This gives the next owner the confidence of a virtually brand-new engine that burns an efficient 9 gallons per hour while delivering a 720-nautical-mile range.

Enhancing the propulsion package is a refurbished magneto, a newly installed oil cooler, a cold engine heater option, and a Power Flow tuned exhaust system optimized for maximized performance. Channeling this power into smooth, quiet thrust is an upgraded MT MTV-12-B three-blade composite constant-speed propeller, which has only 62 hours since its own major overhaul and was recently refurbished, repainted, dynamically balanced, and fitted with a new hub seal.

Scanning the instrument panel, aviators will find an incredibly capable, IFR-ready setup built to streamline single-pilot navigation through busy airspace or adverse weather. The center stack is heavily anchored by dual WAAS-certified Garmin navigators, consisting of a GNS 530 and a GNS 430 (the latter featuring a brand-new display screen), paired with a dual HSI setup. Long cross-country workloads are effortlessly minimized by a Bendix/King KAP 140 three-axis autopilot that is slaved directly to the GNS 530 and comes equipped with electric pitch trim and dual quick-disconnect switches.

Documentation reveals a meticulously managed airframe backed by substantial recent capital investments. The aircraft comes with complete, original logbooks dating back to its factory rollout and features an up-to-date annual inspection newly completed in June 2026. Designed for practical, everyday utility, the airframe has a basic empty weight of 1,620 pounds, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,535 pounds, and a generous 915-pound useful load.

Listed at $268,900, this 2003 Diamond DA40-180 Star stands as a rare, turn-key value proposition on the pre-owned piston market, combining an ultra-low-time engine with modern IFR upgrades and beautiful cosmetic condition. Whether you are stepping up to your first personal cross-country traveler or looking to add a reliable, low-hour platform to your flight training fleet, this Diamond is prepared for immediate deployment.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.