Piper Cherokee 235 Aircraft under $100,000
Under $100k for a piston single is the value-entry price band — typically older airframes (1960s-80s), mid-life or run-out engines, original or basic avionics with retrofit ADS-B Out compliance. These are entry-budget trainers and touring singles. Budget realistically for engine work, ADS-B Out compliance if not yet installed, panel upgrades and corrosion-area inspection.
The Piper Cherokee 235 (PA-28-235, later sold as the Charger and Pathfinder) is the big-engine hauler of the constant-chord Cherokee line. A 235-hp Lycoming O-540 and wingtip tanks holding extra fuel give it a remarkable useful load — it can famously carry close to its own empty weight, lifting four adults, baggage and full fuel on its 84-gallon system. The 1973 Charger added a fuselage stretch for more legroom, and the 1974-77 Pathfinder refined the windows and cabin. It is the predecessor of the tapered-wing Dakota.
6 used Piper Cherokee 235 aircraft for sale under $100,000 · 4-seat · Used median asking $125,000 · updated 14 hours ago
Piper Cherokee 235 Specifications
Model specThe Piper Cherokee 235 is a 4-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 Cherokee 235 for Sale
Piper Cherokee 235 asking prices range from $89,950 to $195,906, with a median of $125,000 (market reference $125,000).
Piper Cherokee 235 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 |
| Arrow | 1967–2014 | 4 | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 940 lbs (426 kg) | $44K – $232K | 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. | 162 |
| Archer | — | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 703 nm (1,302 km) | 900 lbs (408 kg) | $3K – $554K | 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 |
| Cadet | — | 2 | 115 kts (213 km/h) | 525 nm (972 km) | 850 lbs (386 kg) | — | Buy the Cadet if you want a low-cost, rugged PA-28 trainer and don't need rear seats. Consider a four-seat Piper Warrior or the modern Pilot 100i if you need to carry passengers or want updated avionics. | 2 |
| 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 Cherokee 235
Detailed comparisons for the Piper Cherokee 235 are being prepared.
Browse all Piper models →Piper Cherokee 235 Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Cherokee 235 cost? Used Cherokee 235 prices: $89K – $195K, average $125K (median $125K); market reference $125K, across 34 priced of 6 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 Cherokee 235 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 Cherokee 235
When buying a Piper Cherokee 235, 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 Cherokee 235
How much can a Piper Cherokee 235 carry?
What is the difference between the Cherokee 235, Charger and Pathfinder?
How fast is a Cherokee 235?
Does the Cherokee 235 have the wing-spar AD?
Piper Cherokee 235 Inventory by Country
| United States | 34 |
| Canada | 2 |
| Australia | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
| Latvia | 1 |
Piper Cherokee 235 Inventory by State
| California | 56 |
| Florida | 52 |
| Texas | 51 |
| Kentucky | 23 |
| Illinois | 13 |
| Georgia | 12 |
| Oklahoma | 11 |
| New Jersey | 11 |
| Arizona | 11 |
| South Carolina | 10 |
| Missouri | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | 10 |
Piper Cherokee 235 by Price
| Under $100k | 247 |
| Under $200k | 527 |
| Under $300k | 555 |
| Under $500k | 575 |
Piper Cherokee 235 by Decade
| 1960s | 6 |
Recently Sold Piper Cherokee 235
| 1963 Cherokee 235 | $125,000 |
| 1967 Cherokee 235 | $154,999 |
Piper Cherokee 235 Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper Cherokee 235. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database