Piper Cherokee vs Piper Malibu

The Piper Cherokee and the Piper Malibu represent thirty-five years of progress within one manufacturer's product line — and two entirely different categories of aircraft. The Cherokee (PA-28 family, 1961 onward) defines accessible general aviation: fixed gear, normally aspirated Lycoming engines, and a forgiving airframe that generations of student and private pilots have learned on. The Malibu (PA-46-310P, 1983 onward; Mirage and M350 following) defines ambitious general aviation: pressurized cabin, retractable gear, turbocharged engine, PA-46 type rating, and high-altitude IFR operations that the Cherokee simply cannot approach. The cross-shop is less a direct comparison than a decision point — a Cherokee pilot asking whether the Malibu is the next step, and what that step actually requires.

Live Market Snapshot

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

Piper Cherokee
For sale now
602
Median asking
$116,400
Range
$59,948–$277,250
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
164
Source marketplaces
23
Model years available
1961–2026
Piper Malibu
For sale now
281
Median asking
$950,000
Range
$417,000–$3,032,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
103
Source marketplaces
18
Model years available
1984–2026

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)Piper CherokeePiper Malibu
All events1—
Serious0—
Fatal0—
Fatalities0—
% Fatal0%—
View full Piper Cherokee NTSB record →View full Piper Malibu NTSB record →

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Cherokee Piper Malibu
Piper Cherokee
View 27 listings →
Median $116,400
 Piper Malibu
View 23 listings →
Median $950,000
Price Range $59,948 – $277,250 $417,000 – $3,032,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4 6
Horsepower 150 HP 310 HP
Cruise Speed 117 kts (217 km/h) 213 kts (394 km/h)
Range 525 nm (972 km) 1,300 nm (2,408 km)
Service Ceiling 14,300 ft (4,359 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,150 lbs (975 kg) 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg)
Useful Load 850 lbs (386 kg) 1,200 lbs (544 kg)
Fuel Capacity 50.0 gal (189 L) 120.0 gal (454 L)
Fuel Burn 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) 16.0 GPH (61 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $28,000 $35,000
Annual Fixed $16,000 $22,000
Hourly Variable $120 $190
Engines 1 x Piston 1 x Piston (Turbocharged)

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Cherokee

Fuel$44/hr
Variable$120/hr
Annual Fixed$16,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $40,000/yr

Piper Malibu

Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $60,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Piper Cherokee or Piper Malibu?

Bottom line: Choose the Piper Cherokee for the mission that fits a private pilot's first or second aircraft — straightforward operation, predictable handling, and economics that make sense at 100–200 annual hours. The Cherokee family covers a wide range from the basic PA-28-140 through the Cherokee Six (PA-32) and the Arrow (PA-28R) retractable, giving owners a progression path without changing brands. Choose the Piper Malibu when the mission has genuinely outgrown what a Cherokee can accomplish — pressurized altitude operations, 800+ nm nonstop range, or weather routing above flight levels that the Cherokee must route around or cancel for. Safety axis: a Cherokee at 8,000 feet operates in terrain where an engine failure typically allows a forced landing on a nearby airport or field; a Malibu at FL200 over mountainous IMC in winter does not share that margin. Matching the aircraft to the pilot's actual currency, recency, and mission discipline matters more in the PA-46 than in any Cherokee variant — the capability is real, and so is the consequence of a gap.

Pick the Cherokee if…

  • Budget matters — from $59,948 vs $417,000, you save ~$357,052.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$120/hr vs $190/hr.
  • More inventory — 27 listings vs 23.

Pick the Malibu if…

  • More seats — 6 vs 4.
  • Faster cruise — 213 kts vs 117 kts.
  • Longer range — 1300 nm vs 525 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1961.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a type rating to fly the Piper Malibu?
Yes. The PA-46 family requires a PA-46 type rating, which is a separate practical test covering the aircraft's pressurization system, turbocharged engine management, and high-altitude operations. The Cherokee requires no type rating — only a private certificate and, for the Arrow, a complex aircraft endorsement. The type rating process for the Malibu typically involves several days of formal ground school and flight training beyond a normal checkout.
What is the cruise speed difference between a Piper Cherokee and a Piper Malibu?
Substantial. A Cherokee 180 (PA-28-180) cruises at approximately 110–120 kt; a Cherokee Six at roughly 140–145 kt. The Piper Malibu (Mirage/M350) cruises at approximately 190–210 kt at altitude depending on configuration. On a 600 nm mission that difference represents 2+ hours of block time — and the Malibu covers that mission nonstop above weather that a Cherokee routes around or avoids entirely.
Is the PA-28 Cherokee a good step toward a Malibu?
Yes, as a foundation — Cherokee hours build instrument currency, Lycoming familiarity, and the cross-country habits that eventually support complex operations. But the PA-46 type rating is a genuine category step, not a checkout. Pilots transitioning from a PA-28 to a Malibu benefit most from a structured instrument currency program beforehand, including actual IMC, before entering PA-46 training. The Malibu's capability is best used by pilots who are already genuinely current, not those using the aircraft to stay current.
Which is better, Piper Cherokee or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 nm range. The Malibu cruises at 213 kts with 1,300 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Cherokee: from $115,000. Piper Malibu: from $419,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Cherokee and Piper Malibu?
Seats: 4 vs 6. Cruise: 117 vs 213 kts. Range: 525 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Cherokee: about $120/hr variable cost. Malibu: about $190/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?
Cherokee: 4 seats / 850 lb useful load. Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 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?
Cherokee: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$28,000. Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000. 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