By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Feb 08, 2012 at 10:04 AM

With the kind of weather we've had this year the idea of getting my car washed keeps cropping up.

Just the other day I went through a place, and I was struck by the various pricing signs outside. At the bottom end was a basic wash for $3.79. At the top was a wash with wax, under car and a bunch of other stuff. That one was $12.

Since I don't know jack about cars or things like that, it got me to wondering. Is it really worth the extra $8 to get the top-of-the-line wash?

I want to take care of my car and I want it to last. I hate it when it has a coat of dirt that looks like a shroud. But that $8 bucks is also important. At those drive-through places I have a suspicion that the extra money really only gets you more water.

I mean, how good a wax job can you get in one of those places. Does it even help the car?

From now on, unless convinced otherwise, I'm going for the basic wash under the assumption that anything else is just a frill that doesn't do a damn thing.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.