I will agree with the "never use a power buffer" statement, and disagree with the "get a life!" statement.
Only a car? Only a Porsche!
Everyone I've seen who uses a power buffer has "swirls" in their paint. I have been hand waxing the same car for years (straight lines, never circles) and nary a swirl in sight.
I've also seen a number of cars fresh from the detailers which look almost pearlescent from all the swirls left in the layer of wax by a power buffer. Know what I mean?
One speck of dust under a power buffer, and you've spun it around in a circle on your paint 50 times before you notice its there.
Plus, nothing like a little "elbow grease" to give you that feeling of satisfaction of a job well done.
-Boyo