In looking around @ planes and what people are flying you find a great deal of people with Piper Saratoga/Lance’s as well as Cirrus planes. This may be an easy question - or not really - given Piper dropping the Saratoga from their product line (and new investors).
I know that this will get all kinds of answers - but here it goes.
Why do you think a 2005 “well equipped” Piper vs. Cirrus is at least $100k difference. I tried to look for comparable performing planes (hours, turbo, etc.) Understanding that one is a 6 place, the other a 4 place, however the Cirrus planes seem to be loosing value faster than a Piper product.
I’m trying to speculate as to which plane might hold its long term value better than the other. Currently, it seems that a Cirrus loses at least 50% of it’s value within 4 years. Of course now that you cannot buy a Saratoga anymore this also will have a longer term impact.
Speculation or general thoughts.
p.s. there seems to be a very nice Beech A36TC Bonanza for sale out there… wildbluellc.com/N66LH.html $185k - which looks like a nice plane and can probably do more (and cost more) than the saratoga, just as fast as the cirrus, etc.
It all depends on how you fly and what you carry. I have 3 kids, so a Cirrus won’t work. Bonanza’s are faster and are well built but won’t carry as much as the Lance or Saratoga.
I personally don’t like the Cirrus and would rather have the Cessna Corvalis instead.
Bonanza’s historically hold their value better and will continue to do so (repair facilities, parts availability, ABS, etc.)
I spend a good bit of time perusing controller.com and daydreaming about buying my own too (one day, one day). I’ve noticed the same thing - I was wondering if the composite makeup of the Cirrus has a decrease on the life of the airframe and subsequently the cost?
Cirrus has continued to improve the SR22 each year. Some people are on their 5th Cirrus. That has driven down the price of the older planes. Additionally there is the issue of supply and demand. A lot have been made. Next, the oldest SR22 is a 2001. The first 5 years are the ones with the most depreciation. You also need to remember that in 2001 the plane was less than $300K loaded. Of course, loaded had a different meaning back then.
If you need to carry more then 4 people the SR22 isn’t for you. If your mission is 4 or less and a lot of distance traveling, then it is a great choice and an excellent value. It is a travelling plane. That is the mission it is best suited to. It isn’t great for grass strips (tight wheel pants and low prop clearance).
I just noticed you are looking at turbos. The Cirrus TN is probably the best turbo system out there. It is dirt simple to operate. You climb ROP and then pull 2500 RPM and 17". After that just leave the mixture alone. I don’t fly a turbo but people who do love them and think a lot of Tornado Alley and the design they did and their support.
It would also be worthwhile joining the owners’ groups of the planes you are interested in.
