How often do you use an air compressor?
 

I know there's a tool forum here but it doesn't get much traffic so I'm asking here.

CDN tire has a compressor on sale. I know nothing about compressors but it's a 3 Gallon one. I just need one because I think I'm losing boost pressure somewhere and need a way to get 25 psi into my air intake. That and maybe it's be good to have around in case I need to clean something with compressed air. I don't have any air tools, but may consider getting some later.

Is the 3 Gal one too small to run air tools?
How often does one need a compressor for routine maintenance work on 2 or 3 cars?
I see that often compressor packages have an impact wrench and an ratchet wrench. I already have a decent electric impact wrench and am curious how useful an air ratchet wrench is. I never would have thought it'd be that useful but I just occasionally tinker with my cars. Is an air ratchet actually used frequently?

You will rarely use it for regular maintenance IMO.

-wheels
-shocks/struts
-timing belts

The compressor you're looking at is too small, period (that thing is only a good size for construction tools. ie. nailers). You would have to buy lines, a filter, tools, etc. and don't forget how much space they take up (if you're limited). If you want one for sure, start looking at 20gal, minimum (and don't forget to look at the cfm's and duty cycle).

If you're only doing the things I listed above, buy a really good, corded 1/2" impact gun, maybe consider a cordless if you want the portability.

CABINETRY tools, maybe - brad nailers and upholstery staplers. A construction spiker would get about a half-dozen nails done before running out of air on one of these.

You'll only really need one if you're doing a lot of suspension work. Otherwise it'd be a waste of money.

indispensable, even if it's simply for filling up your tires.

I'll have to disagree. Air compressors are a huge time saver, regardless of if you're simply unbolting your exhaust or replacing motor mounts. No, a small 3-5 gallon tank wont do a whole lot for you, but sometimes all you need is a good three second blast to break a rusted 21mm bolt loose and you can finish threading it in or out with your hand/hand tools.

It's not a "waste". It's a big investment to get started in if you don't already have air tools, but once you start using air, you won't want to go back to electric.

For tires and garage get as big as you can afford (3 gallons is a bit on the small side, good for filling 1 tire then it is likely you need a recharge), also for the sake of your own sanity and ears, get one with a belt driven and oil'ed motor.

Pretty useful in my opinion, not so much for working on the car (unless you run a shop, but then you'll need a bigger one anyways, unless you wanna put up with the compressor pump constantly going off), but more for the little things that still count like tire pressure adjustments, drying parts off and blowing debris out of hoses and lines before re-installing them, blowing dust off the dashboard and vents before detailing, and clean sweeping the garage floor before you get under the car or start a project, etc.

It's also just really nice to have for dusting, because anyone who's worked on their car in a garage knows how mysteriously dusty things get no matter how clean you think the garage is, and no real man is going to use a feather duster or a broom when you can crank it up to 120psi and just blast everything out the garage door :D

have one, havent touched it since i got a job at a shop

I use my compressor all the time. Everything from working on cars, airbrushing, cleaning my computer, cellphone...list is endless.

If you're into detailing your car (interior) they are a huge help and with a bit of guidance you can get every nook and cranny to make your interior new.
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It's very useful for changing timing belt, and lots of other stuff too, such as taking off 130+ lb bolts