I know you live in Chicago which always looks to get hit really hard in the winter, so I see your point. Yeah, two stall garage isn't big enough for a lift. lol I actually just came from a 65*F garage, or 'shop'.
We have a heated, insulated/drywalled, finished, 24x39, peaked roof, garage with two lifts. One a storage lift holding a '78 Trans Am and 80's Grand Am. The other is our regular work lift. Takes a vehicle up 6.5ft, clearing the ceiling with everything, including 1/2 Ton trucks. Was going to go with a 24x40 garage, but township said less then 40', so it's 39.5'. Got a full size drill press, 20T shop press, grinding/wire wheel, parts washer, storage racks, tool chest, tv, stereo system, outdoor spotlights, 32x40 concrete pad out in front, attic access, pneumatic tubing in the walls/ceiling throughout the entire building, and is detached from the house so dad and I don't get to be bugged by mom, except the intercom...