Piper Saratoga vs Piper Malibu
The Piper Saratoga (six-seat unpressurised piston, ~150-165 kt) and Piper Malibu PA-46 (six-seat pressurised turbocharged, ~213-240 kt M-series) are different-class Pipers — both six-seaters, but the Malibu adds pressurisation and ~50+ kt more cruise.
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
- 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.
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 Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 1 | — |
| Serious | 0 | — |
| Fatal | 0 | — |
| Fatalities | 0 | — |
| % Fatal | 0% | — |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper Saratoga | Piper Malibu |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $115,250 – $495,525 | $417,000 – $3,032,000 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Piston |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 310 HP |
| Cruise Speed | 163 kts (302 km/h) | 198 kts (367 km/h) |
| Range | 950 nm (1,759 km) | 1,300 nm (2,408 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 ft (6,096 m) | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 3,600 lbs (1,633 kg) | 4,100 lbs (1,860 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,360 lbs (617 kg) | 1,200 lbs (544 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 102.0 gal (386 L) | 120.0 gal (454 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 15.0 GPH (57 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 | $170 | $190 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper Saratoga
Piper Malibu
Which Should You Buy: Piper Saratoga or Piper Malibu?
Bottom line: Step up to the Malibu/M-series when you need pressurisation and serious cross-country range. Choose the Saratoga for materially lower acquisition cost and unpressurised six-seat family flying.
Pick the Saratoga if…
- Budget matters — from $115,250 vs $417,000, you save ~$301,750.
- Lower operating cost — ~$170/hr vs $190/hr.
Pick the Malibu if…
- Faster cruise — 198 kts vs 163 kts.
- Longer range — 1300 nm vs 950 nm.
- Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1980.
- More inventory — 271 listings vs 171.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.