There's one question motoring writers are asked often. No, not "can I get a lift in your flash test car?" or "what's your favourite vehicle?"
It's, "I need to buy a new car, what should I get?".
I used to respond, "buy what you can afford that suits your needs".
That response would often lead to heartbreak. If a friend had young children, I'd suggest that the coupes they were looking at online probably wouldn't be suitable as there's no way they could fit a push chair in the boot.
Or I'd suggest to young colleagues who were keen on a used flash European car that a cheap Japanese runabout would suit their budget.
Then there were the times I lived vacariously through the car buyers. Although I drove expensive new cars, I couldn't even afford to buy a wheel of a modestly priced hatchback let alone my test vehicle.
So when a friend of my mother's wanted to buy a VW Beetle convertible I said "go for it", and when a colleague and his wife were keen on a Peugeot 2008 I was nearly as excited as they were as they drove the new compact crossover home.
But now when I'm asked for advice on vehicle purchases I say "I'll pass on your request to our Buyers' Guide expert, Jack Biddle".
Jack has been involved in motoring for many years, starting his career as a mechanic before working for a large Japanese brand as national service manager.
He also worked for a motorists' advocacy group and as a motoring writer.
So Jack's our man with all your motoring answers.
And the question he was asked most via Buyers' Guide last year? "I'm after a small runabout, what should I get?"
Sure, a couple of times Jack was asked about a sports car or a ute, but week after week Driven readers wanted to know about compact vehicles.
Some were buying for their teenagers, some were trading in their large sedans and wanted a small crossover, and retirees were after something reliable.
So Jack is ready for a new year answering your car buying or technical questions or confirming that you bought the right vehicle.
Contact Jack at driven@apn.co.nz, subject line Buyers' Guide.