Piper Arrow vs Piper Saratoga

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Arrow Piper Saratoga
Piper Arrow
View 188 listings →
Median $135,000
Piper Saratoga
View 173 listings →
Median $219,000
Price Range $44,950 – $429,460 $39,900 – $745,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 6
Horsepower 200 HP 300 HP
Cruise Speed 135 kts (250 km/h) 163 kts (302 km/h)
Range 720 nm (1,333 km) 950 nm (1,759 km)
Service Ceiling 15,400 ft (4,694 m) 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg)
Useful Load 940 lbs (426 kg) 1,360 lbs (617 kg)
Fuel Capacity 72.0 gal (273 L) 102.0 gal (386 L)
Fuel Burn 10.5 GPH (40 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 $145 $170
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Arrow

Fuel$58/hr
Variable$145/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $47,000/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: Piper Arrow or Piper Saratoga?

Pick the Arrow if…

  • Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $170/hr.
  • More inventory — 188 listings vs 173.

Pick the Saratoga if…

  • Budget matters — from $39,900 vs $44,950, you save ~$5,050.
  • More seats — 6 vs 4.
  • Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 135 kts.
  • Longer range — 950 nm vs 720 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1967.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Piper Arrow or Piper Saratoga?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Arrow cruises at 135 kts with 720 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?
Piper Arrow: from $154,500. Piper Saratoga: from $494,900. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Arrow and Piper Saratoga?
Seats: 4 vs 6. Cruise: 135 vs 163 kts. Range: 720 vs 950 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Arrow: about $145/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?
Arrow: 4 seats / 940 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?
Arrow: 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