Beechcraft Bonanza 36 vs Mooney 201
The Beechcraft Bonanza 36 and the Mooney 201 — the Mooney's official designation is the M20J — are two icons of the retractable-gear high-performance single, chosen for opposite reasons. The Bonanza 36 is the roomy, six-seat thoroughbred: more power, club seating and decades of pedigree. The Mooney 201 is the efficiency champion — its name comes from the 201 mph it reached on just 200 horsepower, and it remains one of the most fuel-efficient ways to cover ground fast. Where each sits on the market now, and in what numbers, is below.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 208
- Median asking
- $399,000
- Range
- $229,000–$875,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 94
- Source marketplaces
- 17
- Model years available
- 1968–2026
- For sale now
- 57
- Median asking
- $139,450
- Range
- $96,250–$234,955
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 19
- Source marketplaces
- 10
- Model years available
- 1977–1998
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) | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Mooney 201 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 1 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 | Mooney 201 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $229,000 – $875,000 | $96,250 – $234,955 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 285 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 168 kts (311 km/h) | 161 kts (298 km/h) |
| Range | 697 nm (1,291 km) | 820 nm (1,519 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) | 18,800 ft (5,730 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,245 lbs (565 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 74.0 gal (280 L) | 64.0 gal (242 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) |
| TBO | 1,700 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $195 | $140 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimateBeechcraft Bonanza 36
Mooney 201
Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft Bonanza 36 or Mooney 201?
Bottom line: Choose the Bonanza 36 for room, power and prestige — six seats, a roomy cabin with a double door, the lifting power of a 300-horsepower engine and one of the most respected names in aviation. Choose the Mooney 201 for efficiency: remarkable speed on modest fuel, a slippery airframe and lower running costs, in a tighter four-seat cabin. On safety both are retractable singles that reward gear discipline and currency — the Mooney adds a notable point in its welded steel-tube cabin cage, long valued for crashworthiness, while the Bonanza 36 brings a long, well-understood safety record and more cabin to carry. Room and pedigree, or speed and efficiency — that's the real divide.
Pick the Bonanza 36 if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 168 kts vs 161 kts.
- More inventory — 14 listings vs 6.
Pick the 201 if…
- Budget matters — from $96,250 vs $229,000, you save ~$132,750.
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $195/hr.
- Longer range — 820 nm vs 697 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1977 vs 1968.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.