Car Lift questions

[TX82FIAT]

Folks, does anyone use a car lift in their home garage. If so, can you tell me a little about the use, height, practicality, time to use, other details one might consider before moving in this direction? Is it the best thing ever or a PITA? Seems it would make some jobs working on the car vey easy and allow for additional space and easy access to car when a nice day pops up for a spin. Always nice to have tools, car and me under same roof.

We recently downsized the home from a three car garage with parking for six additional vehicles in the driveway (9 car total) to a two car garage with two additional spots on the driveway (four car total). I figured we would park a car or two in the street when the kids were home from college. However, that seems to be a violation of the homeowners rules. The additional parking spot in the garage might make economic sense. lets say it cost $2,500.00 to purchase, deliver and install the unit. A low end indoor parking spot that I'll need to travel to every time I want to use the car will cost about $130/month. Seems the breakeven with fuel and time would be about 18 months to stack in garage Vs. pay to store.

Thoughts, Thanks, Ray

[Exit98]

Ray,

You are probably way ahead of me on this, but is your garage height sufficient to stack two cars? Will your garage door opener and tracks and so forth get in the way?

I believe there are very specific specifications for the concrete base depth and anchoring requirements which are not trivial.

[TX82FIAT]

Doug, great questions. In theory, my garage floor is in excess of six inches and "should" have no issues. The garage door height, lift size and required clearance is very close depending on the model lift and what small car is parked under it. Would need to park the Fiat so the garage door is over the rear section of the car to have a few inches in clearance. It is tight, I'd like to go see one of these lifts in person and do my own measurements before buying since it is that tight.

[spiderdan]

This might help...

https://youtu.be/LVf13OXm_64

[KandJinmaine]

Ray,
I don't know if you've got a lift yet, I just saw the post today.....but, I can say that it was the best $2,200.00 I've spent on car related things. Granted I have a purpose built "Garagemajhal" that I put it in, but it's way cool. I got mine from Greg Smith automotive equipment, they have a location in Austin. I shopped around and the Rotary and Bendpack lifts that I wanted were a bit too pricey for me. And yes, I know about the "you get what you pay for" deal, but after looking at the differences vs. the money I'm happy with my choice. I got a two post lift that lifts all my vehicles and lifts them high enough for me to walk under them, which at 6'5" is not a given with any brand. I rebuilt the whole front suspension on our Fiat on the lift and it was a joyous thing. I installed the lift myself with just a little help from a friend to stand the posts, easy stuff.
Good luck,
Jeff

[InfinityAero]

You could go with something like this and store it in your backyard when not in use:
http://americaloveshorsepower.com/the-d ... cs-garage/

[htchevyii]

I bought a used 7000 lb 2 post from the dealership where I used to work and installed it myself. I'd be leary of storing a car under it here in earthquake county and would probably go with a 4 post if that was my intention. One thing to keep in mind, just because my lift is rated at 7000 lbs doesn't mean I can lift a 7000 lb diesel truck. Each arm is rated for 1750 lb so if the front of the truck weighed over 3500 lb it would be over weight.

[htchevyii]

Or, sell the big cars and get more Spiders! They take up less room!

[bsx]

I bought a 2 post "Direct Lift" from Greg Smith Equipment in Delaware 6 yrs ago for $1500, saved $400 delivery by picking it up myself. Best $1500 I ever spent. Its a baseplate lift rated at 8000lbs. Recommended ceiling height is 12' although my garage height is 11' after some rerframing of the ceiling. My garage is is 20'x24'.