Piper Cherokee Aircraft (PA-28)
The Piper Cherokee (PA-28) is one of the most successful piston-single families ever built — a low-wing, four-seat aircraft in production since 1960. The line spans the original Cherokee 140/180/235, the tapered-wing Warrior trainer, the 180 hp Archer (still in production), the 235 hp Dakota and the retractable-gear Arrow. All share a common steel-tube cage, a Lycoming O-320/O-360/IO-540 engine (depending on variant) and the reliable simplicity that made Piper a flight-school staple. There are currently 699 used Cherokee/PA-28 aircraft for sale.
699 used Piper Cherokee aircraft for sale · 4-seat · Used median asking $109,900 · updated 6 hours ago
Piper Cherokee Specifications
Model specThe Piper Cherokee is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 115–145 kt (213–269 km/h), a range of 455–800 nm (843–1,482 km), and a useful load of 850–1,510 lbs (386–685 kg).
Piper Cherokee for Sale
Browse all listings →Piper Cherokee asking prices range from $3,326 to $584,900, with a median of $109,900.
Piper Cherokee 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. | 96 |
| Cherokee 235 | 1964–1975 | 4 | 130 kts (241 km/h) | 745 nm (1,380 km) | 1,410 lbs (640 kg) | $89K – $192K | 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 |
| Cherokee Six | 1965–2005 | 7 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 800 nm (1,482 km) | 1,510 lbs (685 kg) | $73K – $360K | Buy a Cherokee Six if you want maximum useful load and simple fixed-gear ownership; the 300 hp version gives noticeably better climb and load. Step up to the Lance or Saratoga SP if you want retractable-gear cruise speed instead. | 40 |
| 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. | 166 |
| Archer | — | 4 | 124 kts (230 km/h) | 703 nm (1,302 km) | 900 lbs (408 kg) | $3K – $517K | 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. | 78 |
| 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. | 1 |
| Cherokee 160 | — | 4 | 119 kts (220 km/h) | 474 nm (878 km) | 950 lbs (431 kg) | $59K – $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. | 7 |
| 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. | 60 |
Compare Piper Cherokee
See how the Piper Cherokee stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Piper Cherokee Price & Cost
How much does a Piper Cherokee cost? Used Cherokee prices: $3K – $584K, average $126K (median $109K), across 579 priced of 699 active listings.
Based on 555 priced 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.
Buying a Used Piper Cherokee
Buying a Piper Cherokee comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Cherokee
What is the difference between a Piper Cherokee, Warrior and Archer?
What is the Piper PA-28 wing-spar AD?
How many seats does a Piper Cherokee have?
Is the Piper Cherokee still in production?
Piper Cherokee Inventory by Country
| United States | 4 |
Piper Cherokee Inventory by State
| California | 2 |
Piper Cherokee by Price
| Under $100k | 4 |
| Under $200k | 4 |
| Under $300k | 4 |
| Under $500k | 4 |
Recently Sold Piper Cherokee
| Cherokee | $57,500 |
Piper Cherokee Safety Record
Across all Cherokee variants, 1 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1984–1984. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
1
Total Events
0
Incidents
0
Serious
0
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 24, 1984 | PENNINGTON, NJ | Minor | — |
NTSB records 1984–1984. Includes all Piper Cherokee variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.