I am moving to Houston in the spring and will be buying a house with a much larger garage. I am planning on buying a lift to install in the garage. However I am ignorant when it comes to what type I should be looking for. So two post? four post? symentrical? asymetrical? What is a symetrical/asymetrical lift? What should I be looking for? Do I need to have the garage slab reinforced? Other questions I am not asking? I don't want a kwick lift. I want to get the car high enough to comfortably work under it.

 

I've had good luck with the Stinger 4 post lift.

 

I spent a fair amount of time shopping with a friend for lifts.
My opinion is that if you have the space get the 4 post kind. This could be personal preference but I like the fact that there is no attaching to the floor needed. You can actually (with the optional caster kits) move them around with the car on it! You can rotate them sideways and park 2 cars underneath or roll it outside to wash your car (underside too) without removing it from the lift. Just understand that you must have a large enough garage door opening (height and width) for that one to be possible, but these lift co.s can help you with that. Ceiling height should be at least 8 ft. which of course depends on the height of the cars both on top and underneath. An SUV and a vette in the equation adds way more height, for sure than 2 vettes, etc. And if there is a garage door opener, it probably needs to be raised or removed.
Two of the ones I liked the best (not the cheapest, mind you) are:

Lifts Unlimited- http://www.liftsunlimited.com/
Eagle- http://66.113.231.142/page/EE/CTGY/LI-SS

(Note that I'm in no way affiliated with either of these places, just liked their quality, etc. There are others out there for sure, that are nice.)

Obiviously, doing things like taking the wheels off on a 4-post lift is more complex than on a 2-post one since you still need to use jack stands, etc. and have to buy extra options like jacking trays. So, admittedly, the 2-post lifts give you more accessability to the underside of your car if your inclined to doing major work underneath, but as for most things and as a storage solution (I think) 4 is better.
Just my 2 cents....hope it helps.
Good luck.



-Chris

 

http://www.kwiklift.com

 

Read my post! I don't want a kwiklift.

 

Bump

 

If I had more headroom in the garage I would've bought this one:

http://www.autolifters.com/m6.html

Since I don't, I got the KwikLift, not bad at all considering.. but like I said, if I had more headroom in the garage....

 

I also did quite a bit of research prior to purchasing, including speaking to users of the lifts at a show - they all like the Backyard Buddy lift.

I would put it on your list to consider!

 

I ended up buying a Superior Lift. From what I have seen of other 4 post lifts in this price range they all very similar. I have 11' celings in my garage.