Piper Meridian vs Piper Mirage

The Piper Malibu Mirage (PA-46 piston Lycoming, ~213 kt) and Piper Meridian/M500 (PA-46 turboprop PT6, ~262 kt) are piston and turboprop versions of the same PA-46 cabin — the Mirage is piston; the Meridian/M500 is the entry-level turboprop variant.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Piper Meridian
For sale now
103
Median asking
$1,284,291
Range
$830,903–$2,305,000
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
29
Source marketplaces
15
Model years available
1985–2026
Piper Mirage
For sale now
49
Median asking
$592,500
Range
$399,000–$977,140
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
16
Source marketplaces
10
Model years available
1989–2014

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 Meridian Piper Mirage
Piper Meridian
View 97 listings →
Median $1,284,291
 Piper Mirage
View 49 listings →
Median $592,500
Price Range $830,903 – $2,305,000 $399,000 – $977,140
Category Single Engine Turboprop Single Engine Piston
Model Specifications
Seats 6 —
Cruise Speed 241 kts (446 km/h) 213 kts (394 km/h)
Range 1,000 nm (1,852 km) 1,345 nm (2,491 km)
Service Ceiling 30,000 ft (9,144 m) —
Max Gross Weight 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) 4,340 lbs (1,969 kg)
Useful Load 1,362 lbs (618 kg) —
Fuel Capacity 170.0 gal (643 L) —
Fuel Burn 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) —
TBO 3,500 hrs —
Overhaul Cost $300,000 —
Annual Fixed $100,000 —
Hourly Variable $650 —
Engines 1 x Turboprop —

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Piper Meridian

Fuel$192/hr
Variable$650/hr
Annual Fixed$100,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $230,000/yr

Piper Mirage

Which Should You Buy: Piper Meridian or Piper Mirage?

Bottom line: Step up to the Meridian/M500 for turboprop reliability, higher cruise and the longer-range capability. Choose the Mirage for materially lower acquisition cost and the simpler piston systems — same cabin, much lower operating cost.

Pick the Meridian if…

  • Faster cruise — 241 kts vs 213 kts.
  • More inventory — 97 listings vs 49.

Pick the Mirage if…

  • Budget matters — from $399,000 vs $830,903, you save ~$431,903.
  • Longer range — 1345 nm vs 1000 nm.

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 Meridian or Piper Mirage?
It depends on your mission and budget. The Meridian cruises at 241 kts with 1,000 nm range. The Mirage cruises at 213 kts with 1,345 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Piper Meridian: from $1,150,000. Piper Mirage: from $749,500. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Piper Meridian and Piper Mirage?
Cruise: 241 vs 213 kts. Range: 1000 vs 1345 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
Meridian: about $650/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?
Meridian: 6 seats / 1,362 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?
Meridian: 3,500-hour TBO, overhaul ~$300,000. 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