Every Tool has its place. I've used both, and do own an 11 HP cold water high pressure washer with a cat pump. It is capable of 3,000 PSI. With an adjustable valve on the handle to regulate the pressure. Great tool when I'm cleaning a nasty engine or other component when it is getting rebuilt or restored. Works great on Bulldozers and farm tractors and other equipment. Takes packed in dirt and mud away with ease. I've also used a steam cleaner in the past and it does better to melt away road dirt and grease. It is great when I need to get a component ready to sand blast as a sand blaster will not remove grease unless it it has dried up hard. Even then it does not blast off fast like rusty steel. Semi-soft grease the sand will just stick to. When I wash a component I keep my air hose handy to blow away and water left behind to prevent flash rusting. Also, even after doing a wash down if you are going to paint something you need to use a solvent to get the surface clean as there is a thin oily surface left behind. With all this said. I do not wash my 1915 Buick or other antique autos with it. I will wash a farm vehicle, like a pickup with it if it is really muddy or has something corrosive like fertilizer that needs to be washed away to prevent premature rusting from the chemical action.