Piper Malibu vs Piper Cherokee
The Piper Cherokee PA-28 is Piper's classic fixed-gear four-seat trainer/touring single (~115-125 kt); the Arrow PA-28R is the retractable-gear variant (~135-140 kt); the Saratoga PA-32 is the six-seat fixed-gear/retractable (~150-165 kt); the Malibu PA-46 is the pressurised six-seat turbocharged (~213-240 kt depending on M-series variant). They represent four steps up the Piper performance ladder.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- 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
- 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
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 Malibu | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 1 |
| Serious | — | 0 |
| Fatal | — | 0 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 0% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Malibu | Piper Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $417,000 – $3,032,000 | $59,948 – $277,250 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 310 HP | 150 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 198 kts (367 km/h) | 117 kts (217 km/h) |
| Range | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) | 525 nm (972 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | 14,300 ft (4,359 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) | 2,150 lbs (975 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) | 850 lbs (386 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 120.0 gal (454 L) | 50.0 gal (189 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) | 8.0 GPH (30 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $28,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $16,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $190 | $120 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Malibu
Piper Cherokee
Which Should You Buy: Piper Malibu or Piper Cherokee?
Bottom line: Choose by mission: Cherokee for the most economical four-seat ownership; Arrow for retractable-gear training and complex-rating utility; Saratoga for six-seat family hauling; Malibu/ M-series when you need pressurisation and serious cross-country range — each step up brings materially higher acquisition and operating cost. ================================================================ # ARROW × CESSNA / OTHER (4) ================================================================
Pick the Malibu if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 117 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 525 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1961.
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 — 632 listings vs 274.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.