Mooney 201 vs Mooney 231

The Mooney M20 family is the efficiency benchmark of retractable-gear piston singles — a lineage built on the principle that aerodynamics should do the work an engine can barely afford to do. The M20J (Mooney 201) introduced that philosophy to a broad audience in 1977: 200 hp, 200 mph cruise, and 10 gph — a combination that changed how pilots thought about piston singles. The M20K (Mooney 231, and the refined 252 TSE) added a turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-GB to that airframe — same fuselage, same wing, but turbocharged for altitude and speed. The cross-shop is a classic turbo vs. no-turbo debate in the smallest package it appears.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Mooney 201
For sale now
57
Median asking
$139,450
Range
$96,250–$234,955
Model years available
1977–1998
Mooney 231
For sale now
44
Median asking
$165,000
Range
$91,226–$239,075
Model years available
1979–1997

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 201Mooney 231
All events13
Serious00
Fatal00
Fatalities00
% Fatal0%0%
View full Mooney 201 NTSB record →View full Mooney 231 NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Mooney 201 Mooney 231
Mooney 201
View 8 listings →
Median $139,450
 Mooney 231
View 2 listings →
Median $165,000
Price Range $96,250 – $234,955 $91,226 – $239,075
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 —
Horsepower 200 HP 210 HP
Cruise Speed 161 kts (298 km/h) 191 kts (354 km/h)
Range 820 nm (1,519 km) 981 nm (1,817 km)
Service Ceiling 18,800 ft (5,730 m) 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg) 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg)
Useful Load 900 lbs (408 kg) 900 lbs (408 kg)
Fuel Capacity 64.0 gal (242 L) —
Fuel Burn 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) 13.3 GPH (50 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $30,000 —
Annual Fixed $18,000 —
Hourly Variable $140 —
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Mooney 201

Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $46,000/yr

Mooney 231

Fuel$73/hr

Which Should You Buy: Mooney 201 or Mooney 231?

Bottom line: Choose the M20J if you regularly operate below 12,000 ft and want the cleanest, most economical retractable single Mooney ever made. The 201's naturally-aspirated Continental IO-360-A is famously reliable, and the aircraft's 175 kt / 10 gph efficiency profile is genuinely exceptional — hard to beat with even much newer designs. Choose the M20K (231/252) when you need to cruise above 12,000 ft routinely — in mountain west routing, weather avoidance, or consistent high-density altitude bases. The M20K's turbocharger extends meaningful performance to FL200 and beyond, with true airspeed approaching 220–230 kt in favorable conditions. Safety axis: the M20K's turbocharger demands active management — intercooler health, TIT (turbine inlet temperature) limits, and density-altitude takeoff behavior all require discipline absent in the normally-aspirated 201. The 231 variant had some early engine overcooling sensitivities; the 252 TSE addressed them substantially. Know which specific model year you're buying.

Pick the 201 if…

  • More inventory — 8 listings vs 2.

Pick the 231 if…

  • Budget matters — from $91,226 vs $96,250, you save ~$5,024.
  • Faster cruise — 191 kts vs 161 kts.
  • Longer range — 981 nm vs 820 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1977.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Mooney 201 called the M20J?
Mooney uses letter suffixes to indicate each generation within the M20 airframe family. The M20J was the tenth major variant and introduced a redesigned, widened fuselage and 200 hp engine in 1977. The name "201" refers to the aircraft's 201 mph maximum speed — a marketing hook that accurately reflected its performance advantage over competitors. Subsequent variants continued the letter sequence: M20K (turbo 231/252), M20M (Bravo TIO-540), M20R (Ovation), M20TN (Acclaim Type S).
Is the Mooney M20K more expensive to maintain than the M20J?
Yes, in most cases. The turbocharged TSIO-360-GB requires attention to intercooler condition, turbocharger health, and TIT/EGT management that the M20J's IO-360 doesn't. Engine TBO is similar (~2,000 hours), but turbocharger-related overhaul and AD compliance typically add cost. Most M20J pilots estimate all-in annual ownership costs 10–20% lower than equivalent M20K owners.
What cruise speeds do the M20J and M20K achieve at their respective optimal altitudes?
The M20J (Mooney 201) cruises at approximately 175–185 kt TAS at 7,000–9,000 ft on 10–11 gph. The M20K (Mooney 252 TSE) achieves 210–220 kt TAS at FL200–FL240 on 12–13 gph at high-altitude cruise settings. At lower altitudes where the turbocharger can't spool to full advantage, the gap narrows; the M20K's advantage is most pronounced above 14,000 ft.
Which is better, Mooney 201 or Mooney 231?
It depends on your mission and budget. The 201 cruises at 161 kts with 820 nm range. The 231 cruises at 191 kts with 981 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Mooney 231: from $199,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Mooney 201 and Mooney 231?
201 engine: Lycoming O-320 (200 hp). 231 engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB;TSIO-360-LB (210 hp). Cruise: 161 vs 191 kts. Range: 820 vs 981 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
201: about $140/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?
201: 4 seats / 900 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?
201: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$30,000. 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