Piper Cherokee vs Piper Warrior vs Piper Archer

The Piper Cherokee, Warrior and Archer are the PA-28 family — same low-wing airframe lineage, different wings and power. The "Cherokee" name spans the family; the Warrior (151/161) and Archer (180/181) are the tapered-wing trainer and tourer.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Piper Cherokee Piper Warrior Piper Archer
Piper Cherokee
View 609 listings →
Median $112,000
Piper Warrior
View 72 listings →
Median $89,250
Piper Archer
View 88 listings →
Median $149,900
Price Range $9,800 – $554,000 $61,327 – $494,900 $25,000 – $554,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 4
Horsepower 150 HP
Cruise Speed 117 kts (217 km/h)
Range 525 nm (972 km)
Service Ceiling 14,300 ft (4,359 m)
Max Gross Weight 2,150 lbs (975 kg)
Useful Load 850 lbs (386 kg)
Fuel Capacity 50.0 gal (189 L)
Fuel Burn 8.0 GPH (30 L/h)
TBO 2,000 hrs
Overhaul Cost $28,000
Annual Fixed $16,000
Hourly Variable $120
Engines 1 x Piston

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 Warrior

Piper Archer

Which Should You Buy?

Bottom line: "Cherokee" is the family — within it, choose the **Warrior** (150-160 hp) for the economical primary trainer, and the **Archer** (180 hp) for the more capable four-seat tourer with better load and cruise. Earlier straight-wing "Cherokee 140/180" models are the value-entry classics. For most buyers it's Warrior (train/economy) vs Archer (tour/load) within the one PA-28 family. ================================================================ # BRAND-трійки (shootout — бренди, НЕ моделі; category/editorial-блок, не /compare-model) ================================================================

Pick the Cherokee if…

  • Lowest entry price — from $9,800
  • Most listings for sale — 609

Pick the Warrior if…

The balanced middle choice — no single category standout, but competitive on price, capability and running costs.

Pick the Archer if…

The balanced middle choice — no single category standout, but competitive on price, capability and running costs.

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 Cherokee, Piper Warrior or Piper Archer?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Cherokee cruises at 117 kts with 525 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Cherokee: from $115,000. Piper Warrior: from $78,000. Piper Archer: from $517,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
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