Is there really any advantage of a pressure washer compared to a garden hose?

Thanks guys.

 

Well it will take the dirt off the paint allot easier. But then again it can also chip your paint so I would recommend doing it the hard way with the garden hose.

 

I have been using a pressure washer since the first day i got my Z. The key in not chipping or damaging your paint is to do it with a not to strong pressure washer. I use a 1600 PSI and it works fine. It is a lot easier than a garden hose to rinse the mud off and all those bugs and blood on your bumper.

 

IMHO, no. If you're washing your car properly, the soap and mitt will do the work - the water is there to a) cool the car, b) loosen the dirt, c) act as a lubricant and d) transport the dirt from the car to the ground. The only thing the pressure washer will do is help with item b, but at the risk of actually pushing it into or against the paint.

Why risk it? Spend the money, instead, on a good no-kink hose and a variable spray nozzle (carrand makes a good one - maybe try a bizrate or google search for "carrand nozzle")