single piston

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six 300

Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 hp

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six in flight
Photo: Pedro Aragão via Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
Typical cost/hr
$243.31
Fuel @ 65%
13.5 gph
Engine TBO
2000 hr
Overhaul
$45,000–$65,000

The Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six 300 is the fixed-gear six-seat Piper. Production ran from 1966 to 1978 with about 3,000 of the 300 hp variants built. The Cherokee Six 300 uses a Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 fuel-injected engine at 300 horsepower. It carries six adults plus full bags reliably. The airplane competes with the Cessna 206 Stationair for buyers wanting six-seat hauling capability without the operating-cost commitment of a turbocharged or retractable airplane.

Used market prices in mid-2026 run $100,000 to $200,000 for flyable Cherokee Six 300s depending on engine status, panel condition, and equipment. The PA-32-300 trades meaningfully above smaller four-seat Pipers because the six-seat capability is genuinely different. The successor PA-32R-301 Saratoga (retractable variant introduced in 1980) trades higher. This page covers what a Cherokee Six 300 actually costs to own and where it sits relative to the Cessna 206 and the Saratoga.

History

Piper introduced the PA-32 Cherokee Six in 1965 as a stretched six-seat development of the Cherokee airframe family. The original Cherokee Six used a 260 hp Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (the same engine class as the contemporary Cherokee 235). Piper added the 300 hp PA-32-300 variant in 1966 with the fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540-K1G5. Both variants ran in parallel through 1978, with the 300 hp variant becoming the volume seller after the early production years.

Production of the Cherokee Six 260 (PA-32-260) ran from 1965 to 1978 with about 940 aircraft built. Production of the Cherokee Six 300 (PA-32-300) ran from 1966 to 1978 with about 3,000 aircraft built. Piper replaced the PA-32 Cherokee Six in 1979 with the PA-32-301 (renamed Saratoga in 1980) which used a refined airframe and the same IO-540-K1G5 engine. The retractable PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP appeared in parallel.

The Cherokee Six 300 became a popular family hauler, air-taxi airplane, and utility single. The fleet has remained active and parts and shop support are excellent. The IO-540-K1G5 engine is shared with the Saratoga, the Bonanza F33A, and many other GA singles, which means parts and shop expertise are universal through the broader IO-540 community. Piper Owner Society covers the Cherokee Six with substantial type-specific knowledge.

Variants

Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six (1965-1978)

1965-1978
Lycoming O-540-E4B5, 260 hp

Lower-power Cherokee Six. Carbureted O-540. Used market $80,000 to $140,000. Less common than the 300.

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six (1966-1978)

1966-1978
Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 hp

Volume Cherokee Six variant. Fuel-injected IO-540 at 300 hp. Used market $100,000 to $200,000 depending on hours and panel.

Piper Lance (PA-32R-300) (1976-1978)

1976-1978
Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 hp

Retractable variant of the PA-32-300. Limited production (about 1,200 built). Used market $120,000 to $200,000. Lance II added T-tail in 1977. Eventually replaced by the Saratoga SP.

Performance

The Cherokee Six 300 cruises at about 145 KTAS at 75% power, burning 15.5 gph of 100LL. At long-range cruise (65%), the airplane drops to about 135 KTAS on 13 gph. The IO-540 at 300 hp delivers strong cruise and good climb performance, comparable to a Cessna 182 with retractable gear. The fixed-gear configuration loses about 8 to 12 knots of cruise speed to the retractable Lance and Saratoga SP, but eliminates gear-system maintenance complexity.

Useful load on a Cherokee Six 300 is about 1,500 to 1,650 pounds. Full fuel (84 gallons usable) leaves about 1,000 to 1,150 pounds for people and bags. Six adults plus full bags fit comfortably within gross. The airplane has six-place seating in club configuration and the cabin is the same as the contemporary Cherokee 235 but with two additional seats. Range with reserves is about 750 nm at long-range cruise. Service ceiling is 16,250 ft on paper.

Powerplant

The Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 is the engine on every PA-32-300. It's a six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, fuel-injected, direct-drive piston rated at 300 hp at 2,700 RPM. Lycoming's published TBO is 2,000 hours per Lycoming Service Instruction 1009 BE. The IO-540-K1G5 is one of the most-produced Lycoming six-cylinders and has universal parts and shop support.

Field overhauls at Penn Yan, Gann Aviation, or other reputable Lycoming shops run $45,000 to $60,000 in 2026 prices. The IO-540-K is moderately more expensive to overhaul than the carbureted O-540 in the Cherokee 235 due to fuel injection components but well-supported by the broader Lycoming shop network. Cylinder availability is excellent.

Oil consumption on a healthy IO-540-K1G5 runs about 0.4 to 0.6 quarts per hour. The engine reaches TBO routinely when operated regularly. The Hartzell two-blade or McCauley two-blade constant-speed propeller requires overhaul concurrent with the engine. Prop overhauls run $2,500 to $4,500.

Cost of ownership

Plan on $215 to $300 per flight hour at 100 hours a year of utilization, all-in. The Cherokee Six 300's operating cost reflects the 300 hp engine and the larger six-seat airframe. Fuel and oil run about $86 to $110 per hour at 15.5 gph and $5.50 to $7 for 100LL. Engine overhaul reserve is $23 to $30 per hour based on a $45,000 to $60,000 overhaul amortized across the 2,000-hour TBO. Airframe maintenance reserve is $25 to $40 per hour, slightly higher than smaller Cherokees due to the larger airframe.

Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add another $55 to $100 per hour at 100 hours a year of utilization. Insurance on the Cherokee Six is moderate. Hull values are reasonable. First-time owners pay $2,800 to $5,000 a year typically. Established Cherokee Six pilots pay $2,000 to $4,000.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026: A Cherokee Six 300 with mid-time engine and steam-gauge panel runs $100,000 to $150,000. A Cherokee Six 300 with fresh engine and modern Garmin panel runs $150,000 to $200,000. The PA-32-260 (lower-power variant) trades about 20 to 30% below comparable 300 hp aircraft.

Piper Owner Society covers the Cherokee Six with substantial type-specific knowledge. Annual dues are about $80. The PA-32 family has 60 years of accumulated fleet experience and most maintenance and pre-buy questions benefit from POS consultation.

Fixed cost Range Frequency
Hangar (six-seat capable)
 $300–$700 monthly
Annual inspection (standard)
 $2,500–$5,000 annual
Insurance (typical owner)
 $2,800–$5,000 annual
Piper Owner Society dues
 $65–$80 annual

Estimate the cost for your situation

Defaults are pre-filled for the Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six 300. Tweak fuel price, hangar, insurance, and hours to match your scenario.

Your cost per hour
$243.31
Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six 300 · Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 hp
100 hrs/yr · 65% cruise
Per month
$2,028
Per year
$24,331
Cruise power
Pre-populated values are sourced estimates. Verify with the POH and a current quote before buying.

Common issues & gotchas

Aging airframe corrosion

moderate

1966-1978 production aircraft are 47 to 59 years old. Wing spar carry-through, fuselage, and tail attach areas show corrosion in many fleet aircraft. Pre-buy corrosion inspection is essential.

IO-540-K case wear

moderate

Earlier IO-540-K1G5 engines can develop case wear at mid-time intervals. Most fleet engines have been brought into compliance via Lycoming service bulletins. Verify on pre-buy.

Original avionics generation

moderate

Original PA-32 panels include 1960s and 1970s avionics. Most flying examples have been panel-upgraded. Pre-buy avionics inspection essential.

Fuel tank leaks

moderate

Wet-wing fuel tanks on 50-60 year old airframes commonly develop seam or skin leaks. Repair runs $2,500 to $5,500 depending on scope.

Constant-speed prop maintenance

moderate

Hartzell or McCauley two-blade CS prop overhaul concurrent with engine. Cost runs $2,500 to $4,500.

Interior wear (heavy utility use)

low

Many Cherokee Six 300s saw air-taxi or family-utility service. Interior wear can be substantial. Full interior refresh runs $4,000 to $9,000.

Who it's for

Good fit for

  • ✓ Family operators with six-seat hauling requirements
  • ✓ Pilots cross-shopping a Cessna 206 who prefer Piper low-wing handling
  • ✓ Charter operators and air-taxi services serving small markets
  • ✓ Buyers who want six-seat capability without retractable-gear maintenance complexity
  • ✓ Owners stepping up from a four-seat Cherokee 235 or 182 who need more capacity

Less good for

  • ✗ Pilots who don't need six seats (a Cherokee 235 or 182 is meaningfully cheaper to operate)
  • ✗ Buyers cross-shopping the retractable Lance or Saratoga for faster cruise
  • ✗ Owners cross-shopping the Cessna 206 with cargo door utility capability
  • ✗ Pilots flying primarily at high density altitudes (300 hp gets stretched above 8,000 ft DA at gross weight)

The verdict

The Cherokee Six 300 is the Piper six-seat utility hauler. The IO-540 at 300 hp delivers strong performance with the fixed-gear simplicity. The cabin carries six adults plus full bags. The airplane has the deep Piper Owner Society support and universal IO-540 parts availability. For families and operators with real six-seat missions, the Cherokee Six 300 is a defensible buy.

But the Cherokee Six 300 isn't the only six-seat single in its acquisition range. The Cessna 206 Stationair has a cargo door for utility loading and slightly better short-field performance. The retractable Lance and Saratoga SP successors offer faster cruise at higher operating cost. The Cherokee Six 300 wins on Piper low-wing handling and predictable maintenance economics. It loses on cargo capability (no cargo door) and outright cross-country speed. Pick based on whether you want a Piper six-seater specifically or whether the cargo door and cross-country speed of alternatives matter more.

Cross-shop these

Type club

Piper Owner Society →

Volume Piper type club. Annual dues run about $80. POS covers the PA-32 Cherokee Six family with 60+ years of accumulated fleet experience and substantial type-specific knowledge.

Frequently asked

How much does a Cherokee Six 300 cost? +

Used market in mid-2026: $100,000 to $150,000 for a Cherokee Six 300 with mid-time engine and steam-gauge panel, $150,000 to $200,000 for aircraft with fresh engines and modern Garmin panels.

What's the typical fuel burn for a Cherokee Six 300? +

About 15.5 gph of 100LL at 75% cruise, dropping to 13 gph at long-range cruise. The Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 burns proportionally to its 300 hp output but delivers strong cruise and climb.

Cherokee Six 260 vs Cherokee Six 300: which should I buy? +

The 300 has the fuel-injected IO-540-K1G5 at 300 hp, meaningfully better climb at altitude and full-load operations. The 260 has the carbureted O-540-E4B5 at 260 hp, lower acquisition cost (typically 20 to 30% less), and slightly lower operating cost. Pick the 300 if you'll regularly fly with full passengers and bags at altitude. Pick the 260 if budget matters and your typical loading is moderate.

Cherokee Six vs Cessna 206: which should I buy? +

Both are six-seat haulers at similar acquisition cost. The Cessna 206 has the cargo door for utility loading and slightly better short-field performance. The Cherokee Six has Piper low-wing handling and the IO-540 engine. Pick based on whether the cargo door utility matters more than the cockpit and handling preference.

What's the engine overhaul cost on a Cherokee Six 300? +

Plan on $45,000 to $60,000 for a Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 field overhaul at a name-brand shop. Add $2,500 to $4,500 for prop overhaul concurrent with engine.

Should I get a fixed-gear Cherokee Six or a retractable Lance/Saratoga? +

The retractable Lance (PA-32R-300) and Saratoga SP (PA-32R-301) trade $20,000 to $50,000 above comparable fixed-gear Cherokee Six aircraft. They cruise 8 to 12 knots faster but add gear-system maintenance complexity. For pilots who fly cross-country regularly, the retractable variants justify the premium. For pilots flying mostly local or short-leg missions, the fixed-gear Cherokee Six is the better value.

Data sources