Beechcraft Bonanza vs Piper Comanche
The Piper Comanche (PA-24) and Beechcraft Bonanza are the two classic high-performance retractable singles of their era — the Comanche is the fast, efficient, lower-cost Piper; the Bonanza is the benchmark for build quality, resale and support.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle
- For sale now
- 5
- Model years available
- 1947–1972
- For sale now
- 57
- Median asking
- $115,000
- Range
- $71,900–$174,495
- Model years available
- 1958–1992
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft BONANZA | Piper Comanche |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $56,320 – $270,500 | $71,900 – $174,495 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | 250 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 165 kts (306 km/h) | 157 kts (291 km/h) |
| Range | 700 nm (1,296 km) | 956 nm (1,771 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,500 ft (5,639 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | — | 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,100 lbs (499 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza or Piper Comanche?
Bottom line: Choose the Bonanza for class-leading build quality, the strongest support network and the best residuals. Choose the Comanche for very similar performance at materially lower acquisition cost — a connoisseur's value retractable, provided the airframe and (now-resolved) AD history check out.
Pick the Bonanza if…
- Budget matters — from $56,320 vs $71,900, you save ~$15,580.
- Faster cruise — 165 kts vs 157 kts.
Pick the Comanche if…
- Longer range — 956 nm vs 700 nm.
- More inventory — 66 listings vs 3.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.