Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I live close to Boston, MA. We get abt 40" of snow annually with an avg. snowfall of 5-6" with some more than 8". I live in a town house & dont have a lot of space - 1 car wide, and 2 cars long. But the problem is our garage is below the house and we have a sloping driveway up to the street. The driveway is pretty steep and if not cleared properly, my car just skids and cannot get out.

I have been doing a lot of research and can't decide between a gas powered one-stage, like the Honda HS520 or a gas powered two-stage, like a small Ariens: 624E or even the 824E.

My questions:

1) Is the two stage an over kill for a small snowfall of 1 to 2 inches? What do you do with a big machine in a small snowfall?
2) Two stage is much bulkier/heavier than the one stage, which will be easier to control getting up the fairly steep driveway?
3) I need to clear down to the asphalt which type will be better?
4) I don't mind spending the money once and having this with me for the next 20 yrs.

Thanks in advance