If I'm in a rush I run it through the self service wash, with the suspended hoses and whatnot, and usually spend about $15 by the time it's all said and done. When I'm not in a rush, hand wash and wax is the only way to go. When I have a car worth washing, here's the wash schedule:

1st weekend of the month: Wash and wax, take trash out of interior/trunk, spray down engine bay.

2nd weekend of the month: Wash, swirl/scratch remover coat, wax, take out trash, spray engine bay.

3rd weekend of month: same as 1st

4th weekend of month: Full out detail. Clean and detail engine bay (which includes pulling off the valve cover to touch up any polishing that needs to be done), remove wheels, wash and polish wheels, clean brake rotors and calipers, which may also include re-spraying gloss black on the calipers, wash fenderliners, put wheels back on, wash undercarriage, then go to the top.. wash, swirl/scratch remove, and wax the entire car, spray coat of quick detailer on, clean windows with window cleaner, put gloss on headlights/tail lights, back to black on all rubber, silicone grease on seals, vaccuum interior, wash interior carpet and floormats, spray smell good stuff, armor-all the vinyl, Ummmmm.. what am I forgetting... oh yeah... can't forget the tire shine.

Takes me about 8 hours to do the once a month detail, but it's well worth it. Car always looks amazing.

No one else touches my car when it comes to cleaning. I don't trust the people around Athens. Dirty sponges, old chamois, ratty towels... not things I want near my baby!