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Please help me decide on whether to buy an Ariens Compact 22-inch snowblower ... I almost did a month ago. 

Here's the set up:  I have a 19" 1-stage, paddle-type snowblower nearing the end of its useful life and it's been okay in light snow but the limited size of the intake means the job takes 2-3 time longer when the snow is deep.  I'm in downstate NY and the snow only gets deep a couple times a year and it's an asphalt driveway so it hasn't been a big deal.  But more importantly, I have a small garage with limited space and the old 1-stage, which is relatively small and lightweight, can fold up and fit nicely next to other machines in the garage.  So I started looking for a 2-stage snowblower that was as small as possible while still being a well-built, quality machine.  I checked stores and found lots of 24" snowblowers which I think are too big, so I looked online and found the Ariens 20-inch snowblower (ST20E), but it has been discontinued .  That led to the Ariens 22-inch (920012 / 920013).

Here's the questions:  First, how much snow is left behind?  My neighbors have two-stage snow throwers (Toro and Craftsman) and while they may finish up before me, my driveway/walkway is alway clearer than theirs.  The paddle-type machine gets down to the blacktop so by the end of the day, even with temperatures in twenties and teens, the sun helps clear things up.  Meanwhile their auger-type machines leave a thin layer of snow and when it gets compacted, it turns to ice which can last for weeks in January, while my driveway is totally clear.  I've been told that some fancy 2-stage machines have adjustable augers, but nothing will get as close paddles.  It's not a deal breaker for me, I's just like to know what to expect with some real world use.

Second, roughly how much space does it take up?  For comparision, I have a self-propelled, rear-discharge, Honda lawnmower.  The Ariens 26-inch models I saw in a store (along with other brand 24-inch) are wider by a few inches but that's not a big deal.  More important is the lenght/height... they seemed maybe 10" less long, but again, my 1-stage snow blower lets me fold the handles forward so it's even more compact for storage during the off-season.  I realize this is never going to happen with a 2-stage snowblower because their engines and chutes make them higher profile.  Second, roughly how much space does it take up?  For comparision, I have a self-propelled, rear-discharge, Honda lawnmower.  The Ariens 26-inch models I saw in a store (along with other brand 24-inch) are wider by a few inches but that's not a big deal.  More important is the lenght/height... they seemed maybe 10" less long, but again, my 1-stage snow blower lets me fold the handles forward so it's even more compact for storage during the off-season.  I realize this is never going to happen with a 2-stage snowblower because their engines and chutes make them higher profile.   Again, not a deal breaker, but any opinion would be welcome.