Piper Mirage vs Piper Meridian

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 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
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

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 Mirage Piper Meridian
Piper Mirage
View 49 listings →
Median $592,500
 Piper Meridian
View 97 listings →
Median $1,284,291
Price Range $399,000 – $977,140 $830,903 – $2,305,000
Category Single Engine Piston Single Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats — 6
Cruise Speed 213 kts (394 km/h) 241 kts (446 km/h)
Range 1,345 nm (2,491 km) 1,000 nm (1,852 km)
Service Ceiling — 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Max Gross Weight 4,340 lbs (1,969 kg) 5,092 lbs (2,310 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 Mirage

Piper Meridian

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

Which Should You Buy: Piper Mirage or Piper Meridian?

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 Mirage if…

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

Pick the Meridian if…

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

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