Those cheap karcher and other units are basically junk. They seem to rely on you just buying a new one when in craps out (which you can bet it will). I have a Bosch one which just keeps going, I can't remember the model, but it was around the $500 mark.
My father has a couple of the industrial rated karcher units, which look identical to ones 1/2 the price, but the difference of course is whats inside. He has been happy with them except for service wise when they need repair - long waiting times
