Mooney M20J 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.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Mooney M20J | Piper Saratoga |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $59,394 – $266,441 | $39,900 – $745,000 |
| 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 M20J
Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$46,000/yr
Piper Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Mooney M20J 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 M20J if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $170/hr.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $39,900 vs $59,394, you save ~$19,494.
- 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 — 170 listings vs 55.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Mooney M20J or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The M20J cruises at 161 kts with 820 nm range.
The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Mooney M20J: from $165,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Mooney M20J and Piper Saratoga?
M20J engine: Lycoming O-320 (200 hp).
Seats: 4 vs 6.
Cruise: 161 vs 163 kts.
Range: 820 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
M20J: about $140/hr variable cost.
Saratoga: about $170/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?
M20J: 4 seats / 900 lb useful load.
Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 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?
M20J: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000.
Saratoga: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
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