Piper Cherokee Six vs Piper Malibu
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
Piper Cherokee Six
- For sale now
- 48
- Median asking
- $195,000
- Range
- $85,000–$413,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 12
- Source marketplaces
- 7
- Model years available
- 1965–2006
Piper Malibu
- 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
Swipe to see all specs
| Spec / Model | Piper Cherokee Six | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $85,000 – $413,000 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 198 kts (367 km/h) |
| Range | 800 nm (1,482 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 16,250 ft (4,953 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,510 lbs (685 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 84.0 gal (318 L) | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) | 16.0 GPH (61 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 2,000 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $150 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Cherokee Six
Fuel$77/hr
Variable$150/hr
Annual Fixed$20,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$50,000/yr
Piper Malibu
Fuel$88/hr
Variable$190/hr
Annual Fixed$22,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr)
$60,000/yr
Which Should You Buy: Piper Cherokee Six or Piper Malibu?
Pick the Cherokee Six if…
- Budget matters — from $85,000 vs $417,000, you save ~$332,000.
- Lower operating cost — ~$150/hr vs $190/hr.
- More seats — 7 vs 6.
Pick the Malibu if…
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 145 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 800 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1965.
- More inventory — 271 listings vs 48.
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 Cherokee Six or Piper Malibu?
It depends on your mission and budget.
The Cherokee Six cruises at 145 kts with 800 nm range.
The Malibu cruises at 198 kts with 1,300 nm range.
Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Cherokee Six: from $495,000.
Piper Malibu: from $299,000.
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Cherokee Six and Piper Malibu?
Seats: 7 vs 6.
Cruise: 145 vs 198 kts.
Range: 800 vs 1300 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Cherokee Six: about $150/hr variable cost.
Malibu: about $190/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 Six: 7 seats / 1,510 lb useful load.
Malibu: 6 seats / 1,200 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 Six: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$32,000.
Malibu: 2,000-hour TBO, overhaul ~$35,000.
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