Piper Saratoga vs Mooney M20J
The Piper Saratoga (six-seat fixed-gear or retractable, ~150-165 kt) and Mooney M20J (four-seat retractable, ~160 kt) are different-mission aircraft — the Saratoga is the family/load hauler; the M20J is the efficient cross-country sport.
Full Specs Comparison
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| Spec / Model | Piper Saratoga | Mooney M20J |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $39,900 – $745,000 | $59,394 – $266,441 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 200 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 161 kts (298 km/h) |
| Range | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 820 nm (1,519 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 18,800 ft (5,730 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 2,740 lbs (1,243 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | 64.0 gal (242 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) | 10.0 GPH (38 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $30,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $18,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $170 | $140 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Saratoga
Fuel$82/hr
Variable$170/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$54,000/yr
Mooney M20J
Fuel$55/hr
Variable$140/hr
Annual Fixed$18,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$46,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Saratoga or Mooney M20J?
Bottom line: Choose the Saratoga when you need six seats and a club-seating cabin for family trips. Choose the M20J for four-seat cross-country efficiency at materially lower acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $39,900 vs $59,394, you save ~$19,494.
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 161 kts.
- Longer range — 950 nm vs 820 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1977.
- More inventory — 171 listings vs 55.
Pick the M20J if…
- Lower operating cost — ~$140/hr vs $170/hr.
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 Saratoga or Mooney M20J?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Saratoga cruises at 163 kts with 950 nm range.
The M20J cruises at 161 kts with 820 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Saratoga: from $170,000.
Mooney M20J: from $159,900.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Saratoga and Mooney M20J?
M20J engine: Lycoming O-320 (200 hp).
Seats: 6 vs 4.
Cruise: 163 vs 161 kts.
Range: 950 vs 820 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Saratoga: about $170/hr variable cost.
M20J: 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?
Saratoga: 6 seats / 1,360 lb useful load.
M20J: 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?
Saratoga: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
M20J: 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