Used market pricing, New England basis, 100 hrs/year. Annual operating cost excludes loan payments and depreciation.
| Aircraft | Used Price | Cruise Speed | Range | Fuel Burn | Engine OH Cost | Seats | Gear | Avionics | Est. Annual Op. | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value Tier — Entry & Budget | ||||||||||
Piper Archer PA-28-181 |
$80k–$150k | ~500 nm | 9 gph | $30k–$45k | 4 | Fixed | Older / upgradeable | ~$25k–$30k | Lowest cost to own, massive parts & mechanic ecosystem | |
Piper Arrow PA-28R |
$90k–$180k | ~600 nm | 10–12 gph | $30k–$45k | 4 | Retract | Older / upgradeable | ~$28k–$35k | Budget complex endorsement; retractable step-up | |
Mooney M20J 201 |
$100k–$200k | ~850 nm | 10 gph | $35k–$50k | 4 | Retract | Older / upgradeable | ~$28k–$33k | Best speed/range per dollar; tight cabin tradeoff | |
| Modern Composite — Glass Cockpit | ||||||||||
DA40-180 Diamond Star · Lycoming |
$120k–$180k | ~480 nm | 13 gph | $35k–$50k | 4 | Fixed | G1000 glass | ~$29k | Modern glass, bubble canopy, great safety record | |
DA40 NG Diamond Star · Diesel |
$250k–$400k | ~675 nm | 6 gph Jet-A | $35k–$100k ⚠ | 4 | Fixed | G1000 glass | ~$26k | Lowest fuel cost; diesel & Jet-A; FADEC simplicity | |
Cirrus SR20 Continental IO-360 |
$160k–$280k | ~620 nm | 11–12 gph | $32k–$50k | 4 | Fixed | Garmin glass | ~$32k | CAPS parachute, wide cabin, modern IFR platform | |
| High Performance — Serious Transportation | ||||||||||
Cirrus SR22 Continental IO-550 |
$200k–$400k | ~950 nm | 13–15 gph | $50k–$80k | 4–5 | Fixed | Garmin glass | ~$38k–$45k | IFR transportation sweet spot; speed + CAPS + range | |
Cirrus SR22T Continental TSIO-550 · Turbo |
$350k–$550k | ~1,100 nm | 15–17 gph | $60k–$90k | 4–5 | Fixed | Garmin glass | ~$45k–$55k | Turbocharged range & altitude; top Cirrus performance | |
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza · Continental IO-520/550 |
$200k–$550k | ~900 nm | 14–16 gph | $50k–$75k | 6 | Retract | Varies widely | ~$40k–$50k | 6 seats, maximum payload, legendary airframe | |
Columbia / TTx Cessna TTx · Continental TSIO-550 |
$200k–$380k | ~1,000 nm | 16–18 gph | $50k–$75k | 4 | Fixed | G1000 glass | ~$40k–$48k | SR22 alternative; thinner support network | |
Austro AE300 overhaul is Austro-only. Exchange program can reach $85–90k installed. Best case ~$30–35k. Scrutinize engine time and calendar age carefully on any used example.
For the KFIT→RDU transportation mission, the SR22 is the natural fit. 178 kt cruise shaves ~40 min vs SR20 each way. Mid-2000s examples now overlap with newer SR20 pricing.
The M20J delivers SR22-class range at SR20 fuel burn for $100–200k. The catch is ergonomics — tight cabin especially in back. Outstanding value for solo or two-person flying.
100 hrs/year · New England hangar ~$8,400/yr · 100LL at $7.25/gal · Jet-A at $7.00/gal · Annual op cost excludes loan payments and depreciation.