Would You Rather Have A Larger Garage, Or A Smaller Garage With A Lift?

[2000xp8]

A few things to consider.
Mike is right, if you aren't old now you soon will be.
What takes 10 minutes on a lift, could take 2 hours on the ground.
I really can't imagine going back to crawling around on the ground.

I think a 4 post with a slide jack is better/safer for hobbyists and parking under.
I would do a garage door at least 1 panel taller than standard.
Make sure the lift goes high enough to walk under, it gets old going around it real quick.
Take the garage door into consideration on where it's going to go when it's up, converting my garage door to a high lift was a real pain. I have to back suvs in because of where the door is stored in the up position.

12ft height is fine for a mustang, border line good for an suv, not good for a pick up truck.

Most 4 post lifts don't need to be bolted down and can be moved around. If my garage door was taller I could actually have used a caster kit to roll the lift out of my garage and I could work on my work van in the driveway if necessary.

I use a bendpak hd7p and while in my 2 car garage I could park a car next to it, with tools and other basic garage junk it would be really tight.

 

[Mustang Harry]

All the problems and talk about how big ? how high ? Really, just build it as big as you can, Pour a larger slab than you need, at least twice what you think you need, you'll have a place outside to work when inside gets filled. I started with a three car garage when I bought in 1977, luckily, I had lots of room. I poured another slab, same size, with help from friends and since then I have added rooms and added rooms, was never enough room. I ( after years ) bought a like new lift and put it outside on a small slab, 5,500 sq. ft. shop built from mostly used metal siding, still not enough room. Now, at 81, I have ever tool made and can't use the lift, bad shoulders, bad back, bad everything, etc. Just build it and use it now while you can, 81 comes quick when having fun. I own 15 mustangs, most still projects, now all are for sale. Harry