Car Lift Recommendations?

[Seattle Sam]

Due to limited garage space I am ready to add a car lift. The primary use will be for storage, but it will also make some projects easier to complete (like detailing the bottom of my 67 Camaro).

Which would be better, two-post or four-post? Anyone have a favorite brand / model? Should I avoid any brands? Is an electric lift preferred to an air lift?

Your opinions are appreciated!
-Seattle Sam

[Belair62]

I'm in the same boat.The 4 posters are pretty much the same to varying degrees. I happen to have Eagle lifts which work fine and seem to be pretty safe.At least you can park something underneath as opposed to a 2 post.

[Zedder]

Sam,

I set up a group purchase last year with some of my Corvette friends on the Internet and we got a very good deal from Superior (www.superlifts.com). I ended up giving my deal to a buddy since we were moving, but we have since decided to push the house off for another year, so I am going to go ahead and get the lift. I plan on contacting Superior at the end of the month to set up my deal. The guys at Superior promised to give me the same deal when I was ready. I'll have to look it up, but I think we got the lift, wheels, alum ramps, oil change canister and drip pans for $3,300 delivered in the US. Anyone I know that has one is very happy with it. If you do your research, I think you'll find this is the best deal on a quality lift going. Also heard good things about Double Park - they were my second choice.

[toner]

We have 6 fordsmith above ground lifts at work, plus 1 of their mobile column lifts, they work great. They don't list it on their site but they do sell a 9000 lbs lift, ours were just under $3000 each.
http://www.fordsmith.com/tec15and18.asp
http://www.members.shaw.ca/david.p.brown/shop.htm
Scroll to the bottom of page to check out the 9000lbs lift this guy has in his tinkering shop. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

toner

[Stefano]

There are several price tiers and the $3,000.00 to $4000.00
lifts work very well for the Hobbyist.

I have had better quality lifts in our shops over the years but they were more than 2x as much, but used every day for many years.

I have had a "Perfect Park" from Lifts Unlimited in use for several years. They would mfg. lifts for at least three of the other Companies and one even sold one of their older models as the latest and greatest for a period of time.

They are all very similar in design and mfg. Check the shipping weight of the lift you decide to purchase as they all have similar components and the weight will tell you a lot about the heft of the materials used to build it.

There can be up to a 500 pound weight difference on similar/equipment lifts [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

The Hobbist level lift which I purchased has no problems fitting or lifting my '02 1/2 ton Suburban and fits a car as Wide as a C5 Corvette.

I have had problem free operation and have recomened the lift to many people including several list members, who now have more than one.

The 4 post seems to be the best all purpose and safest way to both store and work on Cars, IMO.

[COPO]

I have a Perfect Park 4 post lift as well and it's been a good trouble free lift. When I purchased it 3-4 years ago, it seemed to be the best hobbyist lift available.

[jimbo]

I have a Stinger four post.Pretty happy with it.If you need any real world measurements to see if a lift will work in your garage let me know.Hate to see you buy one and then not be able to use it.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks to all for the recommendations. I am compiling a list of features and prices, and I will post here when I have it done. I am pricing lift, casters, aluminum ramps, jacking tray, and three drip trays.

It looks like the Perfect Park has a design advantage in the fully enclosed column, although I don't understand what they are claiming as far as the columns spreading. perfect Park also claims Barrett-Jackson and Kruse International as customers.

Zedder, how many units did Superior want to sell to make a GP?

Thanks,
-Sam

[Zedder]

Sam,

I think my GP was about 20 units, but I'm pretty sure I can still get that price for anyone who buys with me. I agree that the Perfect Park looks nice and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. However, I could not justify the increased price to get the additional structural integrity. My cars always weigh in at about 3,200 lbs or so, so the 7000 lb Superior more than meets my needs. Later this week I'll see what Perfect Park will offer on a package deal. Their lift is only $300 more than Superior, but their options are quite expensive. With Superior I get the lift, casters, drip trays, aluminum ramps, jacking bridge and oil drain canister for the price of the Perfect Park lift only. To be honest, I have only heard positive things about both Perfect Park and Superior - so either would make me happy. Also, I'm an NCRS guy and Superior supplies lifts for our judging events etc. Hundreds of our members own them. Pick either of these and I think you'll be happy.

[MotownMadman]

Mark, for some reason the board wont let me send you a PM, send me your email address.
Motown [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]