I am thinking of buying a car lift for my shop. Does anyone have any advice/suggestions. This is just for hobby applications so it is not something I will use every day. Therefore, I want something economical yet decent. (If that is possible) I have 12' eaves so clearance shouldn't be an issue. I am thinking 2 post rather than the four post so I can get the tires off and brakes, etc. I see Eagle 9000 lb lifts for around $1850 new. anyone?????

I am going to buy a 4 post from these guys
www.autolifters.com (http://www.autolifters.com) Looks like a good quality product they also have 2 posts

Happy with the Autolifters outfit. Just installed my 4 post and were real professinal to work with.

a 4 post is moveable.
2 post has to be fastned to the floor.

One of the best quality lifts you can get is an OMA. They are distributed through Werther (http://www.werther.com)

Now you guys have me second guessing myself....I originally had myself talked into a 2 post lift. I'm thinking why have a lift if you still have to jack the car to rotate tires, do brakes, or just clean up the inside of the wheels and drums. (which is a lot of why I am buying one) It would be nice to be able to move the lift around (4 post) because I've learned nothing is permanent over the years. what to do?????

I have a 4 post lift and with the sliding jack tray.. lift the hole front or rear or one tire at a time with ease.. also when I remove the wheel it has a side benefit of have a tool TRAY just below the wheel..no more bending over to pick up tools ect.....

2 posts get in the way of opening the doors too. So if you'll continually be parking in that stall...
You have to pad the posts and still sqeeze out depending on how big you are.
I do more work under the car than brake work so I'd prefer a 4 post if I had the room.

I just ordered a 4-post model M80 lift from www.autolifters.com (http://www.autolifters.com) this morning. Great price!

I guess it depends on personal choice...

I figured a 2-post would be better for full restorations, etc. You can lift the bare body, or bare frame, remove the rearend, etc...

But the 4-post seems a lot more convenient mounting and for general work/usage...

Anyone have experience with Eagle Equipment?

Eagle Equipment Webpage (http://www.eagleequip.com/index.htm)

a suggestion might be to look in your local phone book, and see if you can find someone who sells used auto shop equipment. if you can they will probably sell used/reconditioned lifts. I have a 2 post in the "garage ma hall", and did this so i would not have to jack the car up twice. I can park my s-10 pickup under my chevelle, if i want to and the garage door will still open. it took some garage door tracks that folow the angle of the roof line to do this, but it works well. My garage is 28' deep, so I can do what ever i need on my lift, and then roll the car back far enough to open the doors fully to get under the dash or whatever. Hope this helps
Chip Parman

What do you need to do to the garage doors and tracks to accommodate the lift?

Just add rail extensions and an additional panel at the top, or is is more complicated?