Believe it or not, if you get a car thats in decent shape, it really isn't hard at all to keep it looking new. Sure, it takes some time and effort, but to keep the car in top shape, isn't it worth it?? I recommend waxing every 4 to 6 months for the best protection, and washing every week ot two.

Rule #1: Do not use liquid wax when waxing!! It doesn't matter who makes it or how much it cost, liquid wax doesn't hold up as well as it's paste wax equivalent. Paste wax is harder to get off, but I have found the effort is definitely worth it. I have used Turtle Wax's Premium and Mother's liquid waxes, and while they were much easier to take off, the shine didn't last as long.
When I started out, I used Rain Dance Premium paste wax. For about $7, it's inexpensive and provides the longest-lasting shine. A shinier-but-shorter-lasting alternative is what I currently use; Meguiar's Gold Class paste wax. For $10 it's worth evey penny...my car and the Lexus I just waxed came out with a mirror-smooth look and feel I haven't seen yet in any other wax. I have noticed however that the protection doesn't hold up as long as Rain Dance, as my car didn't bead as good after awhile with the Meguiar's versus the Rain Dance.

Rule #2: Do not use Armor All or any dashboard protectant on tires!! They will turn them brown!! They look great for a few days, but after they get a dull, brown look. Use a special tire shine product. I use both Turtle Wax Tire Wax and Meguiar's Ultimate tire shine. I would shy away from spray bottle products, as they tend to "spin off" onto the fenders as you drive, and if you get any on the rims, dirt will stick to the spots. Both the Turtle Wax and the Meguiar's are a liquid that you apply with a sponge (the Turtle Wax comes with its own applicator.) Both cost $5.

Rule #3: Don't use a product like Zip Wax "Wash and Wax" and think your car is waxed and protected. It's not.

Interiors aren't as hard to keep clean. I vaccum mine every other time I wash it, and it keeps stuck-in dirt out of the carpet fairly well. I use Armor All Ultimate Shine on the dash and console, and the shine lasts awhile. Don't want dust collecting on the dash as much? Use Armor All's Interior formula. It's grease-free, and doesn't collect dust the way other Armor All products do. Both cost about $5. If you have set-in stains in the upholstery or carpet, there are several different aerosol spray products for car interiors. I've used All-Gone, and another by Blue Coral, and both worked great.

I use Simple Green spray once every 4 months or so to keep the engine clean. You can use any degreasers out there, but I like Simple Green because its environmentally safe. And when some overspray gets on the exterior, it won't leave spots on the car when it dries. Sometimes I put some Armor All on the outside of the air intake to shine that up too.