One big thing to consider is your driveway. If you get a forklift with regular small tires (like a 4-5000lbs lift will have) it will find every soft spot in your yard and you will be stuck! We have 2 of them and while the big rough terrain forklift doesn't get used a whole lot it sure is nice to have. I can't stand the fumes from propane powered engines, specially not indoors. Makes me sick, gives me headaches. That's what our small forklift has and I don't like it.

Sideshift is kind of nice but takes away the view of the forks. I've ran a forklift for years without one and got by just fine.