2 cylinder 2 stage vs 3 cylinder 1 stage air compressor.

I was just wondering what your opinion would be for the best buying choice - a 2 cylinder 2 stage or a 3 cylinder 1 stage air compressor.  As a noobie, the choices are starting to get confusing for me.  As a generalization, I would guess that the lowest rpm motor with the air volume I need.  I'm thinking the lower rpm motor would equate to longer life.  I would like to be doing some sand blasting of old car parts and on my house before repainting.