Piper Cherokee Cost of Ownership by Model: PA-28-140, 150, 160, 180 and 235 Compared
The original constant-chord-wing ("Hershey-bar") PA-28 Cherokees compared on what they cost to own each year, with the items that affect every one of them.
The original Cherokee models at a glance
Piper's PA-28 Cherokee entered production for the 1961 model year. The early models share the constant-chord "Hershey-bar" wing, which was replaced by the tapered wing starting with the 1974 Cherokee Warrior. The table covers the Hershey-bar family. The Warrior, Archer and Dakota have their own pages.
| Model | Years | Engine | Max gross | Fuel | Planning burn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee 140 (PA-28-140) | 1964–1977 | Lycoming O-320, 140–150 hp | 2,150 lb | 50 gal | 7.5 gal/hr |
| Cherokee 150 (PA-28-150) | 1961–1967 | Lycoming O-320-A, 150 hp | 2,150 lb | 50 gal | 8 gal/hr |
| Cherokee 160 (PA-28-160) | 1961–1967 | Lycoming O-320-B, 160 hp | 2,200 lb | 50 gal | 8.5 gal/hr |
| Cherokee 180 (PA-28-180) | 1963–1975 | Lycoming O-360-A, 180 hp | 2,400 lb | 50 gal | 9.5 gal/hr |
| Cherokee 235 (PA-28-235) | 1964–1977 | Lycoming O-540, 235 hp | 2,900 lb | 84 gal with tip tanks | 12.5 gal/hr |
Years, engines and weights follow the PA-28 production history. The 140 line includes the Cruiser and Flite Liner names. The 180 became the stretched Challenger in 1973 and the Archer in 1974–1975. The 235 was also sold as the Charger (1973) and Pathfinder (1974–1977). Fuel burns are planning blends, not book figures.
Annual budget by model
Hangar ($4,800/yr) and subscriptions ($700/yr) are held constant. Insurance, annual inspection, prop reserve and unscheduled maintenance step up with the engine. A tie-down instead of a hangar can cut roughly $2,880 from every column. See hangar vs tie-down costs.
| Item | 140 | 150 | 160 | 180 | 235 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel per hour | $54 | $58 | $62 | $69 | $91 |
| Engine reserve per hour | $17.00 | $17.00 | $17.00 | $19.00 | $23.00 |
| Maintenance + oil per hour | $20.50 | $20.50 | $20.50 | $21.50 | $24.50 |
| Insurance (assumption) | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,550 | $1,700 | $2,300 |
| Annual inspection (assumption) | $1,800 | $1,800 | $1,800 | $1,900 | $2,300 |
| Prop reserve | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 | $600 |
| Fixed costs per year | $9,100 | $9,100 | $9,150 | $9,400 | $10,700 |
| Total at 50 hr (per hr) | $13,690 ($274) | $13,871 ($277) | $14,102 ($282) | $14,864 ($297) | $17,600 ($352) |
| Total at 100 hr (per hr) | $18,280 ($183) | $18,642 ($186) | $19,054 ($191) | $20,328 ($203) | $24,500 ($245) |
| Total at 200 hr (per hr) | $27,460 ($137) | $28,184 ($141) | $28,958 ($145) | $31,256 ($156) | $38,300 ($192) |
| Illustrative price | $45,000 | $48,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 |
| Loan (15% down, 7.75%) | $409/mo, 12 yr | $436/mo, 12 yr | $500/mo, 12 yr | $640/mo, 15 yr | $628/mo, 20 yr |
Overhaul planning figures are $34,000 (O-320), $38,000 (O-360) and $46,000 (O-540) on Lycoming's 2,000-hour recommended TBO; get current quotes. Most early Cherokees have fixed-pitch props, so the prop reserve is small; some 235s have constant-speed props. Prices are illustrative round numbers, not market values; check Vref or Aircraft Bluebook and current listings. Loan terms are illustrative: 20 years needs a loan of at least $75,000, and smaller loans get shorter terms (we show 12 to 15 years).
What each step up in engine buys
- 140/150 to 160: a few more horsepower, a slightly higher gross weight and about half a gallon per hour more fuel. The 160's higher-compression O-320-B needs 100-octane fuel.
- 160 to 180: the biggest practical jump. It adds 200 lb of gross weight, so four seats become usable with partial fuel. It costs about $1,274 a year more at 100 hours on our assumptions.
- 180 to 235: a real load hauler, with 2,900 lb gross and 84 gallons with tip tanks, but it needs a high-performance endorsement and costs about $4,172 a year more at 100 hours.
For a full single-model budget on the most popular variant, see the Cherokee 180 cost of ownership page.
Buying a Cherokee?
Tell us the model, year and price. A financing specialist can show which term and payment you qualify for, including loans under $75,000.
Common PA-28 items that hit every Cherokee budget
The wing-spar AD
AD 2020-26-16 (effective February 16, 2021) requires affected PA-28 and PA-32 airplanes to calculate factored service hours, with an eddy-current inspection of the lower main spar bolt holes once an airplane reaches 5,000 factored hours. Its model list includes the PA-28-235 and the later tapered-wing PA-28-151, -161 and -181 and the Arrows. It does not include the Hershey-bar 140, 150, 160 and 180. In September 2024 the FAA proposed adding those models and others. Confirm the current status for your serial number.
The FAA's own 2021 cost estimates were about $255 for the records review, about $960 for the eddy-current inspection and about $12,340 per spar if replacement is required. Hours flown under 100-hour inspections (typical of flight-school and rental use) count fully in the formula, so ex-trainer Cherokees reach the threshold much sooner than privately flown ones.
Other recurring items
- Fuel tanks: leaking wing-tank seams and sealant, fuel selector and sender condition.
- Stabilator: hinge bearing play and trim system wear.
- Nose gear: shimmy damper, oleo and hard-landing damage, especially on ex-trainers.
- Engine mount: cracks at welds, and mount bushings.
- Corrosion: wing attach areas, belly and control cables on 50- to 65-year-old airframes.
Hold a contingency of 10%–20% of the annual maintenance line for these, and have a mechanic who knows Pipers do the pre-buy. See the pre-buy inspection checklist and annual inspection costs.
Financing a Cherokee: the small-loan effect
Many Hershey-bar Cherokees sell for well under $100,000, so after a 15% down payment many loans fall below the $75,000 minimum AOPA Aviation Finance cites for 20-year single-engine terms. A shorter term raises the payment even on a small loan. The loan line in the table above shows the effect. The illustrative terms are 140: 12 years; 150: 12 years; 160: 12 years; 180: 15 years; 235: 20 years. Only the 235 example is large enough for 20 years. Lenders also look at airframe age, total time (AOPA cites under 10,000 hours) and logbook completeness. For more, see financing an older airplane and the loan requirements checklist.
Sharing a Cherokee: partnership math
Fixed costs dominate when one owner flies 50 hours a year, which is why Cherokees are popular partnership airplanes. Using the Cherokee 180 column above, with 3 partners each flying 50 hours (150 hours in total):
| Per person, per year | Solo owner, 50 hr | One of 3 partners, 50 hr each |
|---|---|---|
| Operating and fixed costs | $14,864 | $8,597 |
| Loan payments | $7,681 | $2,560 |
| Total | $22,545 | $11,158 |
| Per flight hour | $451 | $223 |
The partnership cuts each person's cost roughly in half here, at the price of scheduling and a written agreement. Lenders can finance co-owned airplanes, usually by underwriting each partner. See partnership vs sole ownership and financing a co-owned aircraft.
How this page differs from related pages
This page compares the original Cherokee models on annual cost. For a detailed Cherokee 180 budget, see the Cherokee 180 page; for buying advice, see the Cherokee 180 beginner's guide. Specs and payment examples for the entry model are on the PA-28-140 Cherokee 140 model page. For the tapered-wing successors, see the Warrior and Archer cost pages. The six-seat PA-32 is a different airplane: see PA-32 Cherokee Six ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Which Piper Cherokee is cheapest to own?
The Cherokee 140 and 150 are the least expensive, with low purchase prices, about 7.5 to 8 gal/hr, and O-320 engines that are among the cheapest to overhaul. On our planning assumptions a Cherokee 140 costs about $18,280 a year at 100 hours before any loan payment, versus $20,328 for a 180 and $24,500 for a 235.
Does the Piper wing spar AD apply to the Cherokee 140, 160 or 180?
AD 2020-26-16 (effective February 2021) covers the PA-28-235 and the later tapered-wing PA-28s and Arrows, but not the Hershey-bar Cherokee 140, 150, 160 and 180. In 2024 the FAA proposed expanding the inspections to those models. Check the current status with your mechanic before buying, and budget for an eddy-current inspection either way.
How much does it cost to insure a Piper Cherokee?
As a benchmark, BWI reported 2026 premiums of $1,200 to $2,500 a year for a privately owned Cessna 172 with an $80,000 to $150,000 hull and a pilot with 250 or more hours. Cherokee 140 to 180 premiums are often in a similar range. The 235 has more than 200 horsepower, so it needs a high-performance endorsement and generally costs more to insure.
Is a Piper Cherokee 140 a good first airplane?
For many pilots, yes. It is simple, fixed-gear and cheap to run, at roughly $183 per hour on our 100-hour budget. The trade-off is payload: with a 2,150 lb maximum gross weight it is realistically a two-adults-plus-bags airplane with full fuel. If you need four real seats, look at the 180 or 235.
Can I get a 20-year loan on a Cherokee?
Only if the loan is at least $75,000, the minimum AOPA Aviation Finance cites for 20-year single-engine terms. Many Cherokee loans are smaller, so expect roughly 10 to 15 years. A $38,250 loan on a Cherokee 140 at 7.75% over 12 years is about $409 a month.
Can a Cherokee run on unleaded fuel?
Some can. Low-compression engines such as the 150-hp O-320 are often eligible for autogas STCs, and Swift UL94 is sold at select airports for low-compression engines. The higher-compression 160-hp O-320-B and 180-hp O-360-A need 100-octane fuel. Check the engine data plate and confirm STC eligibility for your engine and airframe before you fill up.
Last reviewed September 27, 2026. Rates and rules change; see our editorial standards.