Piper Cadet Aircraft under $300,000
The Piper Cadet (PA-28-161 Cadet) is a stripped-down, two-seat training version of the Warrior II, introduced in 1988 to replace the PA-38 Tomahawk in flight schools. It uses the same tapered-wing PA-28 airframe and 160-hp Lycoming O-320, but with a basic interior, no rear seats and minimal equipment to keep purchase and operating costs low. Built mainly for high-utilisation training fleets, the Cadet is durable, docile and cheap to run, and many have since been converted back to four seats.
2 used Piper Cadet aircraft for sale under $300,000 · 2-seat · Reference price ~$90,000 ($55,000–$150,000) · updated 4 days ago
Piper Cadet Specifications
Model specThe Piper Cadet is a 2-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 115–143 kt (213–265 km/h), a range of 455–745 nm (843–1,380 km), and a useful load of 850–1,410 lbs (386–640 kg).
Piper Cadet for Sale
Piper Cadet asking prices range from $68,000 to $94,253, with a median of $81,126 (market reference $90,000).
Piper Cadet Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 180 | 1963–1975 | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 630 nm (1,167 km) | 1,055 lbs (479 kg) | $22K – $179K | Buy the Cherokee 180 if you want an inexpensive, capable four-seat Cherokee that can actually carry four people. Consider the Piper Archer if you prefer the later tapered wing and the option of a still-in-production airframe, or the Cherokee 140/160 to save money for lighter use. | 74 |
| Cherokee 140 | 1964–1977 | 4 | 115 kts (213 km/h) | 455 nm (843 km) | 920 lbs (417 kg) | $20K – $130K | Buy the Cherokee 140 if you want the lowest-cost way into Cherokee ownership for training and local flying. Consider the Piper Warrior for the better-handling tapered wing and a bit more useful load, or the Cherokee 180 if you need more power to carry four people properly. | 98 |
| Cherokee 235 | 1964–1975 | 4 | 130 kts (241 km/h) | 745 nm (1,380 km) | 1,410 lbs (640 kg) | $89K – $194K | Buy the Cherokee 235 if you want maximum load-hauling on a budget and don't mind the older constant-chord wing. Consider the tapered-wing Piper Dakota for cleaner handling and a bit more speed, or the six-seat Piper Cherokee Six if you need more than four seats. | 35 |
| Arrow | 1967–2014 | 4 | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 940 lbs (426 kg) | $44K – $240K | Buy the Arrow if you want a faster, complex-rated four-seater and the speed bump of retractable gear. Consider the Piper Archer if you would rather avoid the extra maintenance, insurance and gear inspections of a retractable, or the Turbo Arrow if you regularly fly high or in hot-and-high terrain. | 163 |
| Archer | — | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 703 nm (1,302 km) | 900 lbs (408 kg) | $3K – $584K | Buy the Archer if you want the best balance of cabin load, speed and running cost in a fixed-gear four-seater that is still supported and built new. Consider the Piper Warrior to save money on training, or the Piper Arrow if you want retractable gear and a complex rating. | 77 |
| Cherokee 160 | — | 4 | 119 kts (220 km/h) | 474 nm (878 km) | 950 lbs (431 kg) | $47K – $109K | Buy the Cherokee 160 if you want a low-cost four-seat Cherokee with a bit more muscle than the 140. Consider the Cherokee 180 if you regularly carry four adults, or the Piper Warrior for the more modern tapered wing and gentler stall. | 8 |
| Dakota | — | 4 | 143 kts (265 km/h) | 650 nm (1,204 km) | 1,150 lbs (522 kg) | $125K – $249K | Buy the Dakota if you want the most power and useful load in a fixed-gear PA-28 and routinely fly with four people and bags. Consider the Piper Archer if you mostly fly one or two up and want lower fuel burn, or the retractable Piper Arrow if cruise speed matters more than cabin load. | 17 |
| Pilot 100i | — | 3 | 128 kts (237 km/h) | 522 nm (967 km) | 900 lbs (408 kg) | — | Buy the Pilot 100i if you want a new or nearly-new PA-28 trainer with modern Garmin glass and full factory support. Consider the in-production Piper Archer if you need a true four-seat owner aircraft, or a used Warrior to train at a much lower acquisition cost. | 2 |
| Warrior | — | 4 | 127 kts (235 km/h) | 640 nm (1,185 km) | 972 lbs (441 kg) | $34K – $178K | Buy the Warrior if you want the cheapest practical way to train and build hours in a stable, forgiving four-seater. Consider the Piper Archer if you need the extra 20-30 hp of the 180 engine for better climb and load when carrying four people and bags. | 59 |
Compare Piper Cadet
Detailed comparisons for the Piper Cadet are being prepared.
Browse all Piper models →Piper Cadet Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Cadet cost? Used Cadet prices: $68K – $94K, average $81K (median $81K); market reference $90K, across 2 priced of 2 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Piper Cadet Value by Model Year
Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.
Lowest around $155,000 (2001 models) · highest around $491,000 (2023). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.
Buying a Used Piper Cadet
When buying a Piper Cadet, the biggest value drivers are engine time since overhaul, maintenance-record completeness, damage history and avionics.
What to check before buying
- Engine time to overhaul — hours and years remaining drive price more than total airframe time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records protect value.
- Damage history — any prior accident or incident; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a modern glass panel vs legacy steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Cadet
What is the difference between a Piper Cadet and a Warrior?
How many seats does the Piper Cadet have?
What engine does the Cadet use?
Does the Piper Cadet have the wing-spar AD?
Piper Cadet Inventory by Country
| Denmark | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
| United States | 1 |
Piper Cadet Inventory by State
| California | 57 |
| Florida | 52 |
| Texas | 51 |
| Kentucky | 23 |
| Illinois | 13 |
| New Jersey | 12 |
| Georgia | 12 |
| Oklahoma | 11 |
| Arizona | 11 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| Missouri | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | 10 |
Piper Cadet by Price
| Under $100k | 251 |
| Under $200k | 531 |
| Under $300k | 560 |
| Under $500k | 579 |
Piper Cadet by Decade
| 1980s | 2 |
Piper Cadet Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper Cadet. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database