When the temperature gets below 50 - a long handle brush like this is your best friend. Do not have to get your hands wet.
Road salt is very important to remove from the cars finish. Have an '03 Mazda that already has rust in the rear wheel area...

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autog...h-action-1.jpg

Yep! That's why we're so addicted to coffee in Seattle - we need the caffeine buzz to help us make it through the 10 - 11 months of wet, gray skies... It's too bad the weather wasn't good when you were out here - it's quite nice on those few occasions when the sun does come out :-) I also had someone put a coat of the polymer paint sealant on my Fit a week ago to keep it protected during the winter months because it probably won't get it's weekly bath (but I'll at least try to have it washed a couple times a month).

It's just a matter of convenience to go to one of those touchless automatic places -- especially in the winter. I see vehicles costing 2-3 times what I spent on the Fit going through these washes. The Chicago winters demand getting all that salt off cars whenever possible. I hate swirls, but I hate rust even more....

that or use a shitty beater, fits are too good to ruin in the snow

Optimum No rinse is the answer. I detail cars and use this even in the summer. Requires 4 gallons of water, 2 buckets and 2oz of optimum no rinse. Works amazing, takes less than 20 minutes and can be done in the garage. Also a good quick detail spray wipedown about twice a week while keep it looking clean.