Rick,
Yep, the 24" machine definitely fits the "Can I get my car past it?" criteria.
I was looking at huge 32" and 36" Arien monsters. You know, because of "More Power!" [Insert Tim the Toolman grunting here].
Glad I went with the 24", because no way I could sneak my car past those beasts in the garage.
We just had 8" of kind icy snow a week ago. I motored through it in 4th Gear. You can definitely haul ass with the small cut size.
The motor never sounded like it was straining until I got to the end of the driveway and gobbled down some "Plowcrete". It lowered pitch...then proceeded to throw that nasty snow 30'. Heh.
Since I still have the photo in my photobucket account:
You can see it only intrudes into the garage parking space by about 6".
I'm digging it so far!
Kevin "Even the goofy John Deere paint scheme."