Beechcraft Baron 58 vs Piper Seneca
The Baron 58 (refined Beechcraft twin, ~200 kt, Continental IO-550) and Piper Seneca (workhorse piston twin, ~190 kt, Continental TSIO-360 turbocharged in V-VI) are competing six-seat piston twins — different price classes.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Baron 58 | Piper Seneca |
|---|---|---|
|
|
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| Price Range | $139,500 – $1,945,000 | $53,000 – $875,612 |
| Category | Multi Engine Piston | Multi Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Cruise Speed | 190 kts (352 km/h) | 180 kts (333 km/h) |
| Range | 1,225 nm (2,269 km) | 750 nm (1,389 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,688 ft (6,306 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 5,500 lbs (2,495 kg) | 4,750 lbs (2,155 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,846 lbs (837 kg) | 1,590 lbs (721 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 166.0 gal (628 L) | 123.0 gal (466 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 28.0 GPH (106 L/h) | 22.0 GPH (83 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 1,800 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $28,000 | $25,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $310 | $280 |
| Engines | 2 x Piston | 2 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Baron 58
Fuel$154/hr
Variable$310/hr
Annual Fixed$28,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$90,000/yr
Piper Seneca
Fuel$121/hr
Variable$280/hr
Annual Fixed$25,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$81,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Baron 58 or Piper Seneca?
Bottom line: Choose the Baron 58 for higher cruise, refined Beechcraft cabin and stronger residuals. Choose the Seneca for materially lower acquisition and operating cost, turbocharged high-altitude capability (Seneca II/III/V) and Piper systems familiarity.
Pick the Baron 58 if…
- Faster cruise — 190 kts vs 180 kts.
- Longer range — 1225 nm vs 750 nm.
- More inventory — 126 listings vs 114.
Pick the Seneca if…
- Budget matters — from $53,000 vs $139,500, you save ~$86,500.
- Lower operating cost — ~$280/hr vs $310/hr.
- Newer design — production from 1972 vs 1970.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Beechcraft Baron 58 or Piper Seneca?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Baron 58 cruises at 190 kts with 1,225 nm range.
The Seneca cruises at 180 kts with 750 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Beechcraft Baron 58: from $325,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft Baron 58 and Piper Seneca?
Cruise: 190 vs 180 kts.
Range: 1225 vs 750 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Baron 58: about $310/hr variable cost.
Seneca: about $280/hr variable cost.
Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
Baron 58: 6 seats / 1,846 lb useful load.
Seneca: 6 seats / 1,590 lb useful load.
Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
Baron 58: 1,700-hour TBO, overhaul ~$40,000.
Seneca: 1,800-hour TBO, overhaul ~$40,000.
Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data