Piper Warrior vs Piper Cherokee

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

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Spec / Model Piper Warrior Piper Cherokee
Piper Warrior
View 72 listings →
Median $89,250
Piper Cherokee
View 612 listings →
Median $112,500
Price Range $61,327 – $494,900 $9,800 – $554,000
Category 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 Warrior

Piper Cherokee

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

Which Should You Buy: Piper Warrior or Piper Cherokee?

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 Warrior if…

Pick the Cherokee if…

  • Budget matters — from $9,800 vs $61,327, you save ~$51,527.
  • More inventory — 612 listings vs 72.

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 Warrior or Piper Cherokee?
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 Warrior: from $78,000. Piper Cherokee: from $115,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Warrior and Piper Cherokee?
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Cherokee: about $120/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. 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. 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