A few of the places where I have worked have had hoists of a few different types, by far I'd say the 2 poster for a Mini would be go, that's just my own view from my own experience. The 4 poster type that Rich has is also really good for many jobs too, including wheel alignments (as long as it's a good quality hoist) and in all fairness Rich, i think one could loose a car as easily off a 4 poster and a 2 poster
One thing I will add in regards to a 2 poster is the floor does need to be considerably better than does for a 4 poster, as the weight is canter-levered on the 2 poster's legs as well as supporting the weight of the vehicle, on the 4 poster, it's only a (theoretical) quarter of the weight per leg, with very little or no cater-levering at all. <edit - one other thing in regards to 2 vs 4 poster, if the car is at all rusty, don't use a 2 poster. - end edit>
Regardless, a hoist can give you an extra parking space too (for that Escort
).
Certainly that particular hoist does appear to tick all the boxes in terms of safety features, however check it out in this regards for yourself, I'm sure there are some guides / standards which you could refer. You'll also want to consider decent lighting from the posts and / or floor as when the vehicle is raised, it will cast a shadow seemingly right where you need to look and work
I also find I have to wear saftey glasses or goggles when working under a hoist (I guess we should wear them in any event).
Personally - and this is my own view based probably on how I tend to do most jobs - I don't like hoists for working on Minis, well for doing most jobs on them, I find them too much too slow, about the only job I find them handy for is hanging exhausts, however for most rear drive vehicles (like the Escort), a hoist I'm sure could be a godsend.
, an Elan and possibly a Mk1 Escort 
(SWMBO does not know yet) - so nothing heavy or large
