Piper Arrow vs Piper Malibu
The Piper Arrow PA-28R (four-seat retractable, 200 hp, ~135-140 kt, unpressurised) and Piper Malibu PA-46 (six-seat pressurised turbocharged, ~213-240 kt M-series) are very different-class aircraft — both Piper retractables but otherwise unrelated.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 196
- Median asking
- $134,945
- Range
- $79,053–$243,250
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 71
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1967–2015
- For sale now
- 281
- Median asking
- $950,000
- Range
- $417,000–$3,032,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 103
- Source marketplaces
- 18
- Model years available
- 1984–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Arrow | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $79,053 – $243,250 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 200 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 135 kts (250 km/h) | 198 kts (367 km/h) |
| Range | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 15,400 ft (4,694 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 2,750 lbs (1,247 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 940 lbs (426 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 72.0 gal (273 L) | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 10.5 GPH (40 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $30,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $145 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Arrow
Piper Malibu
Which Should You Buy: Piper Arrow or Piper Malibu?
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu/M-series when you need pressurisation, six seats and serious cross-country range. Choose the Arrow only as the basic four-seat complex-rating trainer at a fraction of Malibu acquisition and operating cost.
Pick the Arrow if…
- Budget matters — from $79,053 vs $417,000, you save ~$337,947.
- Lower operating cost — ~$145/hr vs $190/hr.
Pick the Malibu if…
- More seats — 6 vs 4.
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 135 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 720 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1967.
- More inventory — 270 listings vs 194.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.