Piper Saratoga vs Piper Comanche
The Piper Cherokee PA-28 (fixed-gear four-seater, ~115-125 kt) / Saratoga PA-32R (retractable six-seater, ~165 kt) and the Piper Comanche 260 (PA-24, retractable four/six-seater, ~160 kt) are predecessor and successor aircraft — the Comanche (1957-1972) was Piper's high-performance retractable before the Cherokee/Saratoga line replaced it after the 1972 Lock Haven flood.
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
- 57
- Median asking
- $115,000
- Range
- $71,900–$174,495
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 18
- Source marketplaces
- 8
- Model years available
- 1958–1992
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 | Piper Comanche |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Saratoga | Piper Comanche |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $115,250 – $495,525 | $71,900 – $174,495 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | — |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 157 kts (291 km/h) |
| Range | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 956 nm (1,771 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | — |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | — |
| Fuel Burn | 15.0 GPH (57 L/h) | — |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | — |
| Overhaul Cost | $32,000 | — |
| Annual Fixed | $20,000 | — |
| Hourly Variable | $170 | — |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | — |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Saratoga
Piper Comanche
Which Should You Buy: Piper Saratoga or Piper Comanche?
Bottom line: Choose the modern Cherokee/Saratoga for the much larger active support network and in-production-era systems. Choose the Comanche 260 for typically lower acquisition cost and the classic Piper retractable character — accepting older systems, age-related corrosion concerns and thinner parts support.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Faster cruise — 163 kts vs 157 kts.
- More inventory — 171 listings vs 59.
Pick the Comanche if…
- Budget matters — from $71,900 vs $115,250, you save ~$43,350.
- Longer range — 956 nm vs 950 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.