To me there is no real comparison if you use jacks a lot. The older American made units are more awkward to move around but serve the functions much better. Plus the lifting heights are better. The much longer snouts allow you to get a lot further under the car when you need to without having pumping issues as well.

So many smaller garages have closed down over the years there should still be some about. You can test them before buying. As stated you pretty much have to stay on concrete with the older ones as they are even hard to move otherwise. I own a three ton oriental type that has a slow leak down problem now. It really has not seen all that much use.

The old heavy one I have needs a new back seal. It has seen a lot of use over the years even before I purchased it. The shaft still looks good.