Jack stands are plenty safe if you have high quality stands and you use them properly.
First get some good brand name stands, (I have Craftsman) and make sure that the load rating is much higher than what you will use them for. (again, I have 3000 lb rated stands)
To use them you want to block the wheels that will be on the ground firmly. Set the E-brake if you are lifting the front of the car. When you have the car on the stands, rock it to make sure that it is sturdy. If the car rocks at all, reset the stands!
The ramps are nice for things like oil and tranny fluid changes, there is less stress on the car because you aren't lifting the car from a small part on the frame. The problems with the ramps are that you can only lift the car as high as the ramps are. You cant remove the wheels to do brake or suspension work. And lastly the ramps are not as flexible (regarding hight and portability.... not flexible in the literal sense) as a good jack and jack stands.
That is just my $.02
Brad
First get some good brand name stands, (I have Craftsman) and make sure that the load rating is much higher than what you will use them for. (again, I have 3000 lb rated stands)
To use them you want to block the wheels that will be on the ground firmly. Set the E-brake if you are lifting the front of the car. When you have the car on the stands, rock it to make sure that it is sturdy. If the car rocks at all, reset the stands!
The ramps are nice for things like oil and tranny fluid changes, there is less stress on the car because you aren't lifting the car from a small part on the frame. The problems with the ramps are that you can only lift the car as high as the ramps are. You cant remove the wheels to do brake or suspension work. And lastly the ramps are not as flexible (regarding hight and portability.... not flexible in the literal sense) as a good jack and jack stands.
That is just my $.02
Brad