Cherokee 6 (260HP) Vs Bonanza A36 Which one is better?

mscard88 said:
Well at least in a Lance, I've flown a 6 but don't remember if it had one too. But yeah, the A36 is a nice ride.
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My uncle had a Beech A-36, it was an awesome aircraft. Not as nice as his TBM-700 or his PC-12 but a great ride. He had a great IFR panel with auto pilot.....:)
 
What kind of money are we talking? G36 vs Toga, I'd probably take the G36. I'm also a Beech fan, so there's that.
 
FloridaPilot said:
I will go first!

I have been in both airplanes and I can honestly say I like the interior of the A36 a lot better. The reason why is because you can take out the 4 seats and use that space for anything you can think of. My buddy uses it for his paddle boards and his fold up bicycles. You can also have the seats in the club position or the forward facing position which is a lot of flexibility for your mission.

Which airplane you think is better Cherokee 6 or the Bonanza A36?
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btw....the seats are "either" front "or" club facing....there are no aircraft that can be either. The middle seats have different brackets for the club version.


...and contrary to my initial thoughts....I preferred the forward facing to the club. Again more leg room with all of us forward facing vs. sharing leg room with the last row.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
I preferred the forward facing to the club. Again more leg room with all of us forward facing vs. sharing leg room with the last row.
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The other issue on that is, at least for the PA-32, if the front seaters are tall and therefore have the seats all the way back, the middle row is essentially unusable in the club configuration. The middle seat backs get pushed over by the front seat backs to a pretty unusable angle. With shorter people in the front, that's not a problem. Not sure if there's the same effect in the Bonanza.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
...and contrary to my initial thoughts....I preferred the forward facing to the club. Again more leg room with all of us forward facing vs. sharing leg room with the last row.
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As I've said before, depends who the passengers are, as in tanned long legged, short skirted, well you get the picture.
 
Checkout_my_Six said:
btw....the seats are "either" front "or" club facing....there are no aircraft that can be either. The middle seats have different brackets for the club version.


...and contrary to my initial thoughts....I preferred the forward facing to the club. Again more leg room with all of us forward facing vs. sharing leg room with the last row.
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Sorry but that is inaccurate if you are talking about the A36. I don't know what year it started but my buddy's 1984 A36 you can remove all four seats and switch them around anyway you want. If you think I'm telling the untruth here is a youtube link. Go to 5:21 if you don't want to see the whole video.

 
JC150 said:
No doubt the PA32 will carry more and the pax in the back will enjoy the extra room, especially that third row
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I really believe that the photo doesn't give the A36 justice. I sat in the back and I didn't have my head cramped like in the photo. Admittedly enough the seats are small in the back but I'm very wide..lol
 
FloridaPilot said:
Sorry but that is inaccurate if you are talking about the A36. I don't know what year it started but my buddy's 1984 A36 you can remove all four seats and switch them around anyway you want. If you think I'm telling the untruth here is a youtube link. Go to 5:21 if you don't want to see the whole video.

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well....I was referring to the PA32's...but, I don't want to waste your rant.:D
 
I wouldn't even think twice. The Bo.

If you get one with tip tanks and TN, I think the useful is 1400 lbs.
 
A36. If I was not looking at a Malibu, I would be getting a A36.
 
texasag93 said:
A36. If I was not looking at a Malibu, I would be getting a A36.
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I could see the A36 fitting the type of flying you do. Wanna make a burger and brew bet you get one over the Malibu?
 
AggieMike88 said:
I could see the A36 fitting the type of flying you do. Wanna make a burger and brew bet you get one over the Malibu?
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Nope. I am cheap, but the Malibu does more and the additional up front cost and recurring costs are overshadowed by it's capabilities.

The problem is getting a Malibu owner to take the smaller size check than they want to take.
 
Let's face it the Bonanzas and the PA32s are two different price points tho


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A retractable Saratoga is a closer comparison to an A36 -- but even then it's comparing a Buick station wagon to a 5-series BMW. Both have their virtues, but they're quite different.
 
MD11Pilot said:
One other small point, in general, own both for a few years and which one traditionally holds a higher resell value?

Lot of time in a Six
Lot of time in a Bonanza

I own a Bonanza
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well ya....same here, but for different reasons. :D
 
Well over 100 hours in both airframes. Two entirely different missions, as has been stated here.

285hp A36 is underpowered. 300hp minimum.
310hp? PA32R-301T. Great airplane. Flies like a truck.

Like I said, the difference between the two has been clearly defined in this thread. Find your mission and you'll find your airplane.
 
Question #1 - do you REALLY need 6 seats. Seems that most people that do really need a JetA burner.

But if my elderly mom decided she wanted to travel, there would be one more 36 in the air - those barn doors are a big deal. (Not that a lance wouldn't be nice, but hey, Bonanzas are just cool!)
 
gsengle said:
Let's face it the Bonanzas and the PA32s are two different price points tho


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Yeah, asking prices for an older 6/260 are in the 60-100k range. When I look for an A36 they seem to start around $120k and realistically closer to 200k and up. That's not insignificant for most of us.
 
gsengle said:
Let's face it the Bonanzas and the PA32s are two different price points tho


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cowman said:
Yeah, asking prices for an older 6/260 are in the 60-100k range. When I look for an A36 they seem to start around $120k and realistically closer to 200k and up. That's not insignificant for most of us.
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Not much difference between a Piper six and a Saratoga airframe wise except for the engine and the retractable gear. Do you cheap out and buy a 6 or spend a little more and go with an A36 if it's worth it?
 
Well if I can swing $100k for a really nice fixed gear six but I can't afford $180k for an ok higher time A36 then yes I absolutely cheap out.
 
And nice 36s are more than similar Saratogas, no?


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brian] said:
Question #1 - do you REALLY need 6 seats. Seems that most people that do really need a JetA burner.

But if my elderly mom decided she wanted to travel, there would be one more 36 in the air - those barn doors are a big deal. (Not that a lance wouldn't be nice, but hey, Bonanzas are just cool!)
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Most of the A36s out there lack the useful load to be true 6 seat airplanes, if that is what one really needs.
That, and the rather substantial purchase price differential, are just two of the reasons I chose an Aztec over the Bo.

Once again the OP is asking to compare airplanes that may have a passing physical similarity, but as others have already pointed out they each excel at completely different things.

If one needs a comfortable load hauler go for the Piper. My daily driver on the ground is an AWD pick-up truck. Spacious, comfortable, stable ride, hauls a decent load in any weather. I don't expect it to handle like a Corvette. If one prefers something other than a "truck" buy the narrower, sexier, faster, sleeker A36.
 
You're comparing a 93 Bo to a 2006 Saratoga.


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Valid comparisons should be similar vintage, similar TTSN & SMOH and similar avionics.
 
gsengle said:
You're comparing a 93 Bo to a 2006 Saratoga.


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GRG55 said:
Valid comparisons should be similar vintage, similar TTSN & SMOH and similar avionics.
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Ahh, You guys know better than that!

93...2006..it doesn't really matter. I've seen a 2006 Piper get abused outside worse than a 1993 airplane that has been very well maintained. It all comes down to how the previous owner took care of it/used it for. It doesn't matter what year. If you want to go by year you can...But I wouldn't:

1984 Piper Saratoga 230k

https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/19544965/1984-piper-t-saratoga-sp

1984 Beechcraft A36 225k

https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/18644567/1984-beechcraft-a36-bonanza
 
Seriously though,

Age is a consideration when it comes to airplanes but it's not the end all be all!
 
BrianNC said:
I wouldn't even think twice. The Bo.

If you get one with tip tanks and TN, I think the useful is 1400 lbs.
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I did a quick search on Controller of the A36s for sale with tip tanks, the most I've seen is 1,215lbs useful.
 
In my cursory research of Bos, I've realized the Beech is a heavy construction. I figure it's the gear assembly and retract mechanism being more stout/overbuilt, have no idea if magnesium is lighter or heavier than Al as manufactured. Pipers come in a good 200-300 pounds lighter EW when you look at say a 33/35 versus a Comanche or Lance/Six vis A36. Useful loads are low on the 4 seaters Bos for the horsepower offered. The CG also shifts back in the Bos versus forward in Piper/Cessnas, so that's an additional consideration for back-seat centric missions. Seen Debs with less useful than my Arrow, even some Archers! They're fast, but they're heavy...

I would still pick the A36 for this question. Frankly there's no comparison. the 6-260 is underpowered and way slow, at least compare the 36 with a Lance or Toga retract to be in the same ballpark.
 
As mentioned better comparison is the 300 hp PA32. Either late model 6 or Saratoga.

I own a PA32-301. A little slower and less sexy than my hangar neighbors A36 that is a beautiful plane of course.

Both are great planes and can accomplish similar missions. Speed, useful, acquisition cost, ongoing costs, etc will all vary between models.

I'm not a real doc so couldn't even consider a Bo. I do love my Toga though.
 
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