I'm quite ashamed to admit that the Spyder has been a bit abandoned on the driveway since arriving in the country. She's sat in front of the garage looking quite sorry for herself and is consequently blocking in my other car. We've spent quite some time looking at other places to live and different options for placing the car elsewhere, however no potential solution has weighed up to be the right one. We have an oversized single garage so after doing some measuring up, it would seem that I could potentially get both cars in with a hoist. The Spyder would be stored on the hoist whenever not in use with my other car underneath, however I've also got a long list of jobs to complete on her so I will be using it to work on too. Due to the storage component I'm leaning towards a 4 post which, though probably not as easy to work on the car as a 2 post, I think will be best for piece of mind.
 
Now, to the point of the thread... I'm looking for recommendations or feedback from anyone who has experience of any hoists / companies. Thanks in advance!
 
Some of the stuff that I've come across so far:
Tufflift TL3.6PH-S (http://www.tufflift.com.au/products/professional/hoists/4-post-hoists/) - These seem to get decent reviews on the web and I've seen them set up at a couple of shows, but I'd be interested to hear from someone who has had one for a while.
HAPP HAPP25 (http://happ.com.au/hoist_and_lift/happ25-extended-four-post-car-parking-lift/) - Cheaper than the Tufflift, but I can't find too much on them. They're quite open about having them made at a plant overseas and
Garage Workshop (http://garageworkshop.com.au/4-post-car-hoists.html) - Starting price is a fair bit more than the above two, though there may be a good reason for that.

I'd be buying a two post hoist if it were me, they're much more functional for every tasks besides wheel alignments. Plus, I'd guess cheaper to buy and maintain as well.
 
Both workshops I've worked at use Molnar Hoists, never had any complaints about them. If I recall they're Australian made too.
 
Another point is to not buy a 415 volt hoist (unless your house is wired for 3 phase power).

I have a HAPP two post hoist and can't say anything bad about them. Has been running strong for over three years. Great build quality, easy to set up and was gentle on the wallet.

To be safe a 2 poster would require a special concrete pad installed that would add to the cost.
 In my garage I only have a standard flat 4 inch concrete floor and have a Tufflift 4 poster that does not even need to be bolted down. In fact it comes with special casters to allow it to be easily moved by one person.
It only needs a standard 10 amp power outlet, and I really like it because it is so stable with the car raised - an important feature.
I have no problems getting wheels free with the hoist raised by using a trolley jack and modified jack stands, so most jobs can be accommodated, even engine swaps.
 
 
 

Got a Tufflift 2 post hoist installed in the shed at home. Works a treat. But as redtarga said, requires a 6 inch deep pad (at most around the feet). We have a large 5x5 section 6 inch deep within our 9x9 shed.

I highly recommend Tufflift, great support and they are always willing to help.

Thanks very much for the responses. Really appreciate it.

If I had the space (and we weren't renting), I'd definitely be considering a 2 post but at present, it'll be a 4 post. Hopefully, I can add to it in the future with a 2 post... You know, once I've got my HUGE future garage :)

@redtarga - One thing that I was wondering was if I would be able to put the car on stands on the hoist so that I could remove the wheels long term. Sounds like it is doable but you mention "modified jack stands", what did you have to do to make them work?

There is a jack which fits inbetween the platforms of the 4 post.

http://www.tufflift.com.au/m/product/?id=1344

AmeR
@redtarga - One thing that I was wondering was if I would be able to put the car on stands on the hoist so that I could remove the wheels long term. Sounds like it is doable but you mention "modified jack stands", what did you have to do to make them work?

With the jackstands I screwed MDF plates to the bottom to spread the load over a greater area, and stuck non-slip rubber underneath for better grip on the footplate runway, and with the hoist raised the car is very stable.
 
As well as that, I did not like the idea of metal on metal so I welded different tops on them to take hardwood 'pads' to eliminate any slipping under the rocker panel jacking points.
 
Perhaps a bit of overkill, but when using hoists safety is the main consideration. 
 

Something I should point out is that whenever I want to raise my car on the hoist with the wheels free, I only have one end of the car sitting on jackstands at the one time.
I also chock the wheels at the opposite end for more safety. This means only 2 modified stands are needed.
 
This will allow any work on stuff like brakes, etc to be done at an easy comfortable height.
When you finish work at one end, you simply swap everything around and do the other end.

The pic shows when I fitted new rear wheel bearings, and something you can't do with 2 posters - 4 posters are also great for resting tools on lol.
 
 

@supremacy - If I had the extra cash lying around and hadn't already bought the stands etc. I definitely would consider the jack. If I am able to get the 4 post in, I'm sure it is something that I will want to add in the future!!
 
@redtarga - I have some Kincrome stands that I've modified hockey pucks to sit on top of (I've yet to cut the V in for the chassis rail - Another job!), see attached image. I specifically went of the pyramid shaped 4 leg ones for stability and strength. I appreciate the picture too as it gives me a better feel for what the car will look like when being worked on.
 
I'm pretty much just waiting on confirmation that the slab is ok for the hoist from the landlord, who in turn is waiting from the engineer. Christmas has obviously slowed progress. It seems that both of the cheaper ones are getting good feedback so I'll probably contact them both in the new year to get some more details and see whether they can swing anything to sweeten the deal 
 
Appreciate all the responses.