Piper Saratoga vs Beechcraft Bonanza 36
The Bonanza 36 and Piper Saratoga are the two classic six-seat single-engine retractables — the Bonanza is the Beechcraft refined option (~175 kt); the Saratoga is the Piper club-cabin family hauler (~150-165 kt).
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 170
- Median asking
- $226,400
- Range
- $115,250–$495,525
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 64
- Source marketplaces
- 15
- Model years available
- 1965–2007
- For sale now
- 208
- Median asking
- $399,000
- Range
- $229,000–$875,000
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 94
- Source marketplaces
- 17
- Model years available
- 1968–2026
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Piper Saratoga | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Saratoga | Beechcraft Bonanza 36 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $115,250 – $495,525 | $229,000 – $875,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 285 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 168 kts (311 km/h) |
| Range | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 697 nm (1,291 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 18,000 ft (5,486 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 3,400 lbs (1,542 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | 74.0 gal (280 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) | 14.0 GPH (53 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 1,700 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | $35,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $170 | $195 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Saratoga
Beechcraft Bonanza 36
Which Should You Buy: Piper Saratoga or Beechcraft Bonanza 36?
Bottom line: Choose the Bonanza 36 for higher cruise, refined Beechcraft cabin and stronger residual values. Choose the Saratoga for the larger club-seating cabin, lower acquisition cost and Piper systems familiarity — the practical family aircraft.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $115,250 vs $229,000, you save ~$113,750.
- Lower operating cost — ~$170/hr vs $195/hr.
- Longer range — 950 nm vs 697 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1980 vs 1968.
Pick the Bonanza 36 if…
- Faster cruise — 168 kts vs 163 kts.
- More inventory — 210 listings vs 171.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.