Mooney 201 vs Piper Saratoga
The Piper Saratoga (six-seat fixed-gear or retractable, ~150-165 kt) and Mooney M20J (four-seat retractable, ~160 kt) are different-mission aircraft — the Saratoga is the family/load hauler; the M20J is the efficient cross-country sport.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 57
- Median asking
- $139,450
- Range
- $96,250–$234,955
- Model years available
- 1977–1998
- For sale now
- 170
- Median asking
- $226,400
- Range
- $115,250–$495,525
- Model years available
- 1965–2007
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Mooney 201 | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | 1 |
| Serious | 0 | 0 |
| Fatal | 0 | 0 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 0 |
| % Fatal | 0% | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Mooney 201 | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $96,250 – $234,955 | $115,250 – $495,525 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 200 HP | 300 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 161 kts (298 km/h) | 163 kts (302 km/h) |
| Range | 820 nm (1,519 km) | 950 nm (1,759 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,800 ft (5,730 m) | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg) | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) |
| Useful Load | 900 lbs (408 kg) | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 64.0 gal (242 L) | 102.0 gal (386 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $140 | $170 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateMooney 201
Piper Saratoga
Which Should You Buy: Mooney 201 or Piper Saratoga?
Bottom line: Choose the Saratoga when you need six seats and a club-seating cabin for family trips. Choose the M20J for four-seat cross-country efficiency at materially lower acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the 201 if…
- Budget matters — from $96,250 vs $115,250, you save ~$19,000.
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $170/hr.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 161 kts.
- Longer range — 950 nm vs 820 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1977.
- More inventory — 121 listings vs 8.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.