With Advantage Lifts and Backyard Buddy shut down (here’s what happened →), a lot of shoppers who had one of their lifts on the shortlist — and a lot of owners who now want a second lift — are asking the same question: what do I buy instead?
The bottom line
Advantage and Backyard Buddy competed on capacity, build quality, low-ceiling fit, and a US-built story. There are current lifts that deliver each of those and are actually shipping. For most people replacing a Backyard Buddy Classic or an Advantage DX-9000-XLT, the Wildfire 9000 XLT is the closest like-for-like swap.
Quick match: old model → best current replacement
| If you wanted the… | Buy this instead | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Backyard Buddy Classic (7,000 lb, low ceiling) | Wildfire 9000 XLT | Handles 9-ft garages; the model forum owners cross-shopped most |
| Backyard Buddy Multi-Lift / XLT (8–9k, 4-post) | Wildfire 9000 XLT, Triumph NSS-8 | Same storage-and-service use, in stock |
| Advantage DX-9000-XLT (9,000 lb, 4-post) | Wildfire 9000 XLT | Near-direct analog; owners regularly compared these two head-to-head |
| Advantage DX-11000-WD (11,000 lb, wide) | Wildfire 12000 | More capacity and width for trucks and SUVs |
| Backyard Buddy Side-by-Side (double-vehicle) | Wildfire 10000 Double Wide | Two-car storage on four posts |
| Advantage 9000-HD (the original) | Wildfire 9000 XLT, Triumph NSS-8 | Same entry storage-lift role |
The natural first stop: Wildfire
Same slot as Advantage — heavy-gauge home storage and service lifts at a mid-market price — and shipping now. The Wildfire 9000 XLT is the closest thing to a like-for-like swap for a Backyard Buddy Classic or Advantage DX-9000-XLT.
What to prioritize when you replace
The one advantage of shopping now is you can insist on the things that matter after watching a big brand collapse:
- A vendor that ships and stocks parts. Buy from a seller who actually holds inventory and supports the lift afterward — not another prepaid, months-out order.
- ALI certification (or a clear safety pedigree). Advantage’s 9000 models were ALI-certified; hold your replacement to the same bar. Several lifts we carry are ALI-certified — look for the badge on the product page.
- Ceiling fit. If a Backyard Buddy Classic was on your list, low ceilings are your constraint — confirm collapsed and working height against your garage. Use our fitment checker →
- Capacity headroom. Buy 20–30% over your heaviest vehicle’s weight, not right at it.
Already own one? Keep it running
Replacing isn’t your only move — if your Advantage or Backyard Buddy lift is installed and running fine, you mainly need a plan for parts and service now that the factory is gone.
Still deciding?
Tell us your ceiling height, heaviest vehicle, and whether you want storage or service access, and we’ll point you to the right lift that’s in stock today. Or browse our buyer’s guides:
Best 4-post lifts → Best 2-post lifts →
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest replacement for the Advantage DX-9000-XLT?
Are there American-made alternatives to Backyard Buddy?
Can I still get an ALI-certified lift?
What replaces a Backyard Buddy for a low-ceiling garage?