Car lift - is it worth it when you're old

[UpstateNY]

69 years old, good health, just creaky joints, have a nicely finished 30' x 40' shop. I'm struggling on whether to install a 4 post lift. Life expectancy is maybe 14 more years for males my age. At this age, I start to view expenditures with time frame considerations i.e. how much time do I have left to utilize the item under consideration.

I'd use it for maintenance on my 59 Vette and 2024 Jeep, car building days are behind me, the Vette is 100 % complete, nothing left to do, only 2,400 miles on it. Lift would cost about $4-5K depending if I got the bridge jack. I realize I'll never recoup the "investment" i.e. I can pay someone to perform maintenance and improvements for the next 14 years for less $$$ than the cost of the lift. That said, $$$ is not really a consideration, but I also don't like to spend $$$ foolishly.

Anyone else with struggle with this issue as you age ? If I were younger, I'd more readily take the plunge, and perhaps should have. Paradoxically, a car lift is more valued as we age because crawling underneath a car is increasing difficult, but not needed as much when we're younger and more spry.

I understand that ultimately it's up to me as regards my course of action i.e. do what makes you happy etc., but I'm perched firmly on the proverbial fence.

Any wisdom on this ? Any one else ever struggle with a decision exactly or similar to this ? How would you / did you resolve it ?

TIA

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I’m the same age and also looking at buying a 4 post lift. Only difference is that I have decided on this solution for the lake garage. We need the storage and already has my wife’s approval. We were talking about our storage problem and she said just get the lift. When we are no longer capable of enjoying the lake cabin it will be signed over to my older Daughter and SIL any way, who already live at the lake not too far away.
My SIL wanted to buy my Neo Aluminum covered trailer to have a place for any off season toys, Seadoos in the summer, golf carts in the winter, you get the idea. So I was just going to buy a starter lift. But the SIL went out and bought a 1 ton truck to pull his motor home. Now I know he will be using the lift for his truck so will now be buying probably a 9k and selling my Neo trailer for what it is worth and give him a place to store their off season toys

 

[kbeefy]

Hell yeah do it!

I'm only 53 and have had access to lifts since my mid/late 20's.
I've had my own for the past 10 years or so.

If your thinking about it, do it!

If you like to do anything on your own vehicles, do it.

If you just want an extra parking spot in your shop, do it.

You will stand in your shop and smile at it wondering why you didn't get one 10 years ago.

Your already thinking about it....



DO IT!

 

[kbeefy]

I have a 2 post and wonder every day why I didn't get one sooner.
I'm beginning to feel crawling around underneath placing the arms.

If your not doing suspension work, a 4 post is so convenient! You can even get them on casters and move them around!
I've even seen people using them for buffing/waxing cars. 4 posts can also be used as humongous tables, or even hoists in some situations.

Do It! Do it!


Now I want a 4 post but I don't have room....

 

[Notgrownup]

If you have the money to do it and it makes your life easier and makes you happy . Do it. Are you gonna take that $5000 with you to the grave?

 

[kbeefy]

putting a 14 year clock on your life is really bringing me down.

I get being realistic, but GJ isn't about that. We want you to be looking up at your '59 vette on that 4 post lift when your 100!

 

[gizardlizard]

I bought my two post Rotary 5 years ago and my only regret is not doing it sooner. If you despise working on vehicles and are only doing it to save money, do not buy it. If you like working on vehicles and take pride in a job well done, BUY IT!! Absolute game changer.

 

[OccupantRJ]

putting a 14 year clock on your life is really bringing me down.

I get being realistic, but GJ isn't about that. We want you to be looking up at your '59 vette on that 4 post lift when your 100!

Might be from flat on your back in an invalid bed though, but at least you won’t strain your neck!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

putting a 14 year clock on your life is really bringing me down.

I was thinking the same thing. I know he's not the norm, but tend to imagining aging like that 101 year old D-Day veteran who still lives alone independently and just returned to Normandy for the 81st anniversary to tour the battlefields.

With that said...put up the lift! Instead of thinking about the money and if the lift will ever "pay for itself"...think about the lift as an investment in your health and lifespan. Keeping moving and remaining active as you age are important factors in increasing lifespan and staying healthy. Having a reason to get out in the garage and lift and work and move and keep your brain active is worth it IMHO.

 

[HoosierMark]

I am 72 and put a 2 post in about 4 years ago. I don’t use it at all like I thought I would. But since that time I have had major health issues. All that being said, I don’t regret it. Due to my lowered TR 6 not easily allowing the arms to slide under it, I sometimes wish for a 4 post but cannot imagine having that much space ******* even though I could leave it up in the air (head banger?). Buy it, use it and later sell it if you are unhappy with it. The net cost is not that much If you don’t like it.

 

[ALinCarolina]

Makes all the difference in the world. I was your age when I built my shop 8 years ago. Using age and mobility as a reason definitely get a 4 post with rolling jacks. As far as the actuarial aspect, I don't worry since my son will live here and uses the lift as much as I do.

 

[Rc_Guy]

You could always be buried with that 4-5 thousand dollars in your pocket.

 

[Wubicon]

At 40 I'm starting to think like this. The view I've taken is if it lets me continue doing what I like to do (work on cars, motorcycles etc) or will make my life easier when I am older (installing ball valves instead of taps) then it's a worth while expense, to me.

 

[rmanrman]

I’m the type of person who does not trust others to do anything on my vehicles. At 68 years old I would love to have a lift but my garage/ shop ceiling is too low. Starting to struggle getting under the vehicle. Do it small price to save your back and knees.

 

[Skooterj]

I'm not quite at your age, but I'm definitely at the age where I've started thinking about what I will be leaving behind and what hassles that might create for those I leave behind. My thoughts on a larger purchase, such as a lift are about residual value versus pain of disposal. For something like a lift, my kids would have no problem selling it. Or selling it with my house. While it may not add any value to my property, it also isn't going to become a burden.

So, if you have the money and wouldn't use that same money for something more important, go for it. Worst case, you list it on here in 5 years and get 50% back.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Don't think about age, if you can afford it get it. Buying quality tools and equipment is never a bad idea and will hold a decent value. At 69 you earned the money, put in the time now enjoy it.

 

[UpstateNY]

I’m the same age and also looking at buying a 4 post lift. Only difference is that I have decided on this solution for the lake garage. We need the storage and already has my wife’s approval. We were talking about our storage problem and she said just get the lift. When we are no longer capable of enjoying the lake cabin it will be signed over to my older Daughter and SIL any way, who already live at the lake not too far away.
My SIL wanted to buy my Neo Aluminum covered trailer to have a place for any off season toys, Seadoos in the summer, golf carts in the winter, you get the idea. So I was just going to buy a starter lift. But the SIL went out and bought a 1 ton truck to pull his motor home. Now I know he will be using the lift for his truck so will now be buying probably a 9k and selling my Neo trailer for what it is worth and give him a place to store their off season toys

You're lucky, you have all the justification you need, you need more storage. I have parking for 6 cars in my shop and only have the Vette in there. And if I were to ever sell it, it'd get replaced with 1 other car, not multiples.

 

[UpstateNY]

putting a 14 year clock on your life is really bringing me down.

I get being realistic, but GJ isn't about that. We want you to be looking up at your '59 vette on that 4 post lift when your 100!

I apologize for the age fixation, it sometimes creeps into my decision making process . I can't seem to help it though, at least for this purchase.

 

[UpstateNY]

Makes all the difference in the world. I was your age when I built my shop 8 years ago. Using age and mobility as a reason definitely get a 4 post with rolling jacks. As far as the actuarial aspect, I don't worry since my son will live here and uses the lift as much as I do.

See, as before with the fella needing more storage, you have a good reason. My son lives only 90 miles away but has no time for cars as he has 4 very active kids (nor is he really into cars if I'm honest). If I get one it'll definitely be a 4-post with a jack as it's all I need.

 

[N_Jay]

(Finally) got my 2 post this year at 64.
Now I can do work without my back, **** and knees hurting. Have already rebuilt the suspension on two cars, and two trans fluid changes, a few oil changes.
Guessing the $3K is about 1/3 paid off.

 

[UpstateNY]

I'm not quite at your age, but I'm definitely at the age where I've started thinking about what I will be leaving behind and what hassles that might create for those I leave behind. My thoughts on a larger purchase, such as a lift are about residual value versus pain of disposal. For something like a lift, my kids would have no problem selling it. Or selling it with my house. While it may not add any value to my property, it also isn't going to become a burden.

So, if you have the money and wouldn't use that same money for something more important, go for it. Worst case, you list it on here in 5 years and get 50% back.

On no, you've introduced another factor for me to consider: leaving possessions behind and the hassles associated with that. Agreed though, it could be sold easily if it came to that.

 

[UpstateNY]

(Finally) got my 2 post this year at 64.
Now I can do work without my back, **** and knees hurting. Have already rebuilt the suspension on two cars, and two trans fluid changes, a few oil changes.
Guessing the $3K is about 1/3 paid off.

Off topic, but where'd you get a lift for $3k ?! Paying it off somewhat on just a few projects is good justification that I lack.

 

[Imatk]

I'll echo what most others have said. Do it!

1. You're going to love having a lift... you just are. Even washing your car... want to get in those low spots without crouching for an hour? Put it on the lift and raise it to whatever height you want. Nevermind that it makes virtually ANY job easier on the car. From frustrating to incredibly easy.
2. You never know man, you might live to 90! You got a waaaaay to go. My dad is in his mid '70s still active, works out, bikes, you're a young buck!

That being said, I get where you are coming from, I'm 54, so the viewpoint changes as you get older... but like others have written, you aint gonna take it with you

 

[housewolf]

I apologize for the age fixation, it sometimes creeps into my decision making process . I can't seem to help it though, at least for this purchase.

I understand. My whole life I’ve made decisions based on what’s likely to happen in the near, not so near, and far away future. It’s survival instinct and as we age the perspective changes. It doesn’t depress me to know I (likely) won’t be here in 20 years, it lights a fire under my ***

That said, I installed a two post lift about 4 years ago. I am your age. No regrets. I’m thinking about swapping torque converters in my CTSV soon. It doesn’t 60’ well enough to suit me.

As far as leaving behind a hassle. I have one heir, he’s turned out great but it was a nightmare raising him. Really. I tease him often about what he’ll have to deal with when the time comes. It’ll be much easier than what his mother & I dealt with so my conscious is clear

 

[finn]

I bought my two post when I was in my late fifties, and a couple of four posts when I was about the op’s age.

No regrets whatsoever.

My kids can sell them when I’m gone if they don’t have a use or space for them. They all have good paying jobs, so the meager amount I spent, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t going to materially affect their inheritance. In the meantime the lifts have improved my quality of life in my later years, as they allow me to do things that I would find increasingly more difficult as I age.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I apologize for the age fixation, it sometimes creeps into my decision making process . I can't seem to help it though, at least for this purchase.

I'll turn 69 in two months, I go through the same thing. To add to the fire, besides the ~14 years left chances are during the last half of that period you (we) won't be in shape to do any garage work. Having said that, if you're in a decent place financially go ahead and get a lift, you're probably done with paying a mortgage or putting kids through school so it's time to indulge yourself.

 

[UpstateNY]

Gawd I hate my indecisiveness................. it's not about money, it's about doing what's "sensible", if that makes sense.

 

[Jackfre]

This fits into the quality of life issue. If you have the resources & the support of your wife go ahead and do it. You aren’t that old…yet. Who knows, you may find it motivates you to do the car building thing again.

 

[UpstateNY]

I'm 99 % certain my car building days are behind me. Maneuvering under a dashboard is increasingly difficult and a lift won't help with that ! Wife is totally fine with it. The shop is my playground, she doesn't care what I do out there or what I spend as long as it doesn't involve another woman. Only scorn I ever got was when I sold the 33 Ford hotrod I built, she loved that thing.

 

[The Metric System]

it's about doing what's "sensible", if that makes sense.

Hobbies are inherently not sensible, if they were rational and focused on numerical return on investment they would be work.

 

[micromind]

Regardless of age, if you're going to use it and can afford it, but it. I doubt you'll ever regret it.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Gawd I hate my indecisiveness................. it's not about money, it's about doing what's "sensible", if that makes sense.

You're on the wrong forum, lol

 

[Scotto]

With that said...put up the lift! Instead of thinking about the money and if the lift will ever "pay for itself"...think about the lift as an investment in your health and lifespan. Keeping moving and remaining active as you age are important factors in increasing lifespan and staying healthy. Having a reason to get out in the garage and lift and work and move and keep your brain active is worth it IMHO.

I agree with this. You'll be more inclined to wrench on your cars if it's easier as you get older. Even polishing/waxing is so much easier so you don't need to bend over.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Gawd I hate my indecisiveness................. it's not about money, it's about doing what's "sensible", if that makes sense.

You say that it's not about money, so if you have the extra money to solve a problem, than that's a good use of money.

 

[Al G]

Absolutely do it. I'm your age and have had a 4 post for about 10 years. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one at my age.

Have you looked at prices lately? I don't know what you're going to get for $4-5K.

 

[kctgb]

I’m 60 and doing brake jobs on weekends for extra pocket money without a lift. After being on my knees all day on Saturdays my back and legs don’t feel so good on Sunday. If It wasn’t that I’m retiring in one year and three months I would have a two post lift. When I retire I’m hanging up the wrenches for good, 48 years is long enough.

 

[sz0k30]

69 years old, good health just creaky joints, have a nicely finished 30' x 40' shop. I'm struggling on whether to install a 4 post lift. Life expectancy is maybe 14 more years for males my age. At this age, I start to view expenditures with time frame considerations i.e. how much time do I have left to utilize the item under consideration.

I'd use it for maintenance on my 59 Vette and 2024 Jeep, car building days are behind me, the Vette is 100 % complete, nothing left to do, only 2,400 miles on it. Lift would cost about $4-5K depending if I got the bridge jack. I realize I'll never recoup the "investment" i.e. I can pay someone to perform maintenance and improvements for the next 14 years for less $$$ than the cost of the lift. That said, $$$ is not really a consideration, but I also don't like to spend $$$ foolishly.

Anyone else with struggle with this issue as you age ? If I were younger, I'd more readily take the plunge, and perhaps should have. Paradoxically, a car lift is more valued as we age because crawling underneath a car is increasing difficult, but not needed as much when we're younger and more spry.

I understand that ultimately it's up to me as regards my course of action i.e. do what makes you happy etc., but I'm perched firmly on the proverbial fence.

Any wisdom on this ? Any one else struggling with a decision exactly or similar to this ? How would you / did you resolve it ?

TIA

I'm 76 & I know exactly what you are talking about. I have a 2 post lift. The one thing I would strongly suggest is a 4 post. The 2 post is probably a better all around lift for most work, BUT I find it extremely difficult getting on the ground and getting my head low enough to see where to locate the lifting pads and then getting up. With a 4 post all you have to do is drive on!

 

[gizardlizard]

Live for today and not tomorrow.

 

[pbon]

My father in law is 80 and still works on his cars and helps his kids with their cars. He even puts them up on jack stands and crawls underneath. And he has been on dialysis for 5 years, has prostate cancer, diabetes with neuropathy in his feet, veteran with full disability for almost 10 years. He should have a lift.

I have one and am 60. Makes projects much easier. Got my first one when I was about 45, a 2 post, which I prefer. Have a 4 post now because my carriage house floor is wood. Don’t worry, there are 7 steel beams underneath with center support columns.

 

[N_Jay]

Off topic, but where'd you get a lift for $3k ?! Paying it off somewhat on just a few projects is good justification that I lack.

Damn, they have gone up in a year.
Looks like they are $5K now.
Advantage Lifts, SC-10