Andrew Hamilton and Michael McAleer look back on the cars they drove in 2002.
It's always topical at the end of the year, picking out the best or most outstanding car. So, with the auto magazines and auto journalists from Slovenia to Iceland choosing their favourites, then there's no reason why we in shouldn't give our views.
One fact that all these contests throw up, is just how diverse opinions can be. Put any two motorists in a room and ask them what their favourite car of the year and you are bound to have differing opinions. There are so many factors in assessment, such as safety, styling, practicality, value-for-money and comfort. We may be influenced more by one of these factors than another.
However, in the interests of our readers, we have tackled this very challenge head-on and come up with the cars that won our hearts . . .
SUPERMINIS:
Our nomination for best-in-class, goes to the Honda Jazz. Honda has made a remarkable effort to rethink the small car layout.
We didn't think it was possible to come up with a new, different and more ingenious way of folding the rear seat but the Japanese manufacturer has done just that.
The Jazz came fourth in the European Car of the Year award. It would have done better but for the quality of the driving. Not everyone was impressed with the steering and ride comfort.
The Citroën C3 was actually ahead of the Jazz in the European award but we would give it the runner-up supermini nomination, if only because of its alluring and chic Gallic styling, vaguely reminiscent of what Citroën used to be all about.
The downside is that rear seat and boot space are just adequate. Point scoring features include high passive safety, impressive electrical steering and a diesel engine that defies the notion that it's a diesel. The same unit is in the Ford Fusion, a car that failed to persuade us of its supposed new market niche.
We would also have to highlight the Fiat Stilo which we really enjoyed driving and which is hard to beat in terms of value for money, particularly when you consider the high specification on offer as standard.
Unfortunately in the current climate, the Italian badge is going through some serious corporate difficulties and this is undoubtedly impacting on sales.
FAMILY CARS:
Here it has to be the Mazda6, which came within 20 points of being the European Car of the Year 2003 (It was beaten by Renault Megane II, just launched on the Irish market).
The 6 was a revelation to many of us, offering confident road manners and exceptional driving pleasure as well as an impressive quality feel.
With five engines, three hugely attractive bodies and an all-wheel-drive transmission, it adds up to an attractive panorama. The runner-up for this category is in dispute. Andrew's choice is the Nissan Primera which didn't make the short list for the European award.
Previous Primeras always seemed a bit old-fashioned in looks: Andrew reckons the new car has sleek and thoroughly modern lines. One of its virtues, a rear view camera that was activated during reversing, didn't apparently impress enough at the European awards. It usefully warned of hidden low-height obstacles-and maybe even a small child.
However, the opposing voice in Motors found the Primera an extremely uncomfortable and noisy option with an overall finish more in keeping with a prototype than a family saloon.
On bumpier rural roads it was simply too rough for our rear seat passengers.
Michael's choice of runner-up is the Opel Vectra, perhaps more bland in design terms, but offering a more solid all-round performance. It may be that €2,000 extra for the base model, but we would prefer to spend that little bit extra.
In all classes, safety features mean a lot these days, one reason why the new Megane scooped the European accolade.
In the small family class where competitors include the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and Opel Astra, the Megane deserves top billing.
Aside from adventurous styling which not everyone may like, there's a major emphasis on safety with no less than eight airbags.
It's the only car in the class that has won five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test programme.
EXECUTIVES:
The challenge to the dominance of the BMW 5-Series came from the latest E-Class Mercedes. Did it take the throne? Yes, and no.
It takes the prize for luxury and grace, but for driving ability we still find the 5-series hard to beat. And what's more, a new version of the 5-series is due later next year.
The challenge from Lexus continues apace and we have to give credit to the GS300 and its superb E-shift automatic, the best steptronic gearshift system we drove this year.
FUN:
For sheer unadulterated fun, memories are made of those autumnal days spent cruising through the Cotswolds in the new Jaguar XKR.
And, of course, racing around Mondello in the Porsche Boxsters and 911s. If you have the money, one of each would be nice for the driveway.
But it is hard to beat the Opel Speedster, which scores zero for practicality but 10/10 for driver entertainment and sheer adrenalin rush. In the region of €40,000 it is significantly cheaper than some of its competitors and offers up a raw power buzz that is often cushioned out of competitors.
So now you know what we want for Christmas.