It's only when we look back on the files that we realise how many car keys have passed through our hands, and how many miles we've clocked up . . . about 30,000 miles in 54 models, not including derivatives and engine variants.
There were the usual facelifts and revisions, but the increasing break-up of the market into niches means we had several completely new models on our hands.
There were a few distractions, such as a glorious day in Ford's GT supercar, a hair-raising run up Monaco's corkscrew roads with the legendary Paddy Hopkirk, and a trek up to a volcano in the hybrid Lexus RX400h that we're not allowed to write about until next year because of a ludicrous embargo. Then there was our frequent periods on the track, behind the wheel of everything from the Lotus Elise to Porsche Cayennes and Mercedes SL AMGs.
Exhilarating as the GT was - laden with the heritage of the 1960s Le Mans winners and beautiful enough to bring whole cities to a standstill - the only Irish buyer has already ordered his and doesn't need our advice.
So, let's look at the good points of a year of so many launches.
The highlight in the small car market was the Kia Picanto. With its cheeky styling, it put a smile on our face even when we had to scour the airport car park to find it. Starting at €11,495, it's good value, even though its taking on the top supermini buy, the Fiat Panda.
Next year should see far more competition here, with the arrival of the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1. For now, our money would go to the Kia.
In the small car segment, the Mitsubishi Colt is worth mention. It's an enjoyable car - all the more so when you compare it to its supposed twin, the Smart forfour.
Smart has decided to go mainstream in an effort to try and finally turn a profit. So it entered into a joint venture with Mitsubishi on a regular small car.
The end result, however, is not as good as the Colt with which it shares underpinnings. Add the fact that it's €1,400 more than the Colt (ignoring the special edition Black version which is the same price) and you're left wondering where the added value is.
As predicted, 2004 was the year for the hatchback buyer, with the arrival here of the Mazda3, new VW Golf, the Opel Astra and, scraping in just in time for the new year's sales, the new Ford Focus and Citroën C4. While the Focus took the offical award for Irish car of the year, and retains its lead in ride and handling, we were most impressed by the great leap taken by Opel with its new Astra.
It's a world apart from its predecessor and deserves strong consideration. The Citroën is smart and handsome, more in keeping with the sort of finish we used to expect from the French marque. For all round ability, however, it's hard to beat the Focus.
This year also saw BMW enter the small car fray with the 1-Series. It manages to bring its traditionally strong driving characteristics to the small hatch.
Given the popularity of the badge alone, it will do well, though retaining backwheel drive means a transmission tunnel down the middle of the car. Its low-set position also means it can't take on rivals such as the VW Golf in load-lugging space.
The 1-Series is more about image than practicality. However, it will be the hot seller next month and residuals will challenge the VWs, if only because of image.
The Seat Altea was a very good all-rounder - fun to drive, neat handling and spacious. Pricing is good too at €20,900 for the 1.6-litre R. The only reason we wouldn't put it among the top of 2004's hatchback arrivals is that Seat is determined to refer to it as some sort of mini-people carrier, despite the fact it really seats only four adults comfortably.
In the fully fledged people carrier class, we saw the arrival of what would be our second favourite car of the year overall: the Toyota Corolla Verso.
As a long-time fan of the Opel Zafira's folding rear seat system , we were really taken by the ease with which the Corolla's third row of seats folded away. Combined with rock solid Toyota reliability, good handling and creature comforts, it's the new leader of the mid-range MPV pack and one of the best cars of 2004.
Another addition to the seven-seat brigade was in the SUV class. In the burgeoning off-road market, Land Rover stormed back into contention with its Discovery 3. Available now with a third row of seats as an option, the Disco 3 is a gigantic improvement on its predecessor in styling and off-roading simplicity. The gap has been closed between the Disco and the Range Rover and it can now take on the likes of the BMW X5 and VW Toureag.
The premium saloon market undoubtedly felt the rising popularity for SUVs, but it was still a relatively good year for high flyers in their overtaxed company cars. Various derivatives added to the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5-Series line-up. There was a diesel S-Type Jaguar and, most important, the new Audi A6. With the new grille, the A6 still features a rather bulbous rump, but it's far more fetching than the previous model and would feature among our top five cars of the year.
Sports car fans had a host of new offerings. Top of the pile, of course, is the latest Porsche 911. But, if there's one thing we learned this year, it's that you don't have to spend a fortune to have fun. The Nissan 350Z stole my heart with its throaty roar and lightning acceleration, while the BMW 645Ci has looks and a meaty engine to win over sports car converts to the Bavarian marque.
Choosing a favourite here is harder than publicly pinpointing your favourite offspring, but for all-round fun and value for money it would have to be the Mazda RX-8. All that high-revving Formula One whine, beautiful looks and a €40,000 price tag seem too good to pass up.
For true petrolheads, of course, there's only one real choice - if you can put up with the enormous spoilers - and that's the Mitsubishi Evo VIII. For €49,995 you can live the WRC dream and melt your licence in the process.
More mature petrolheads looking for a little more discretion are no doubt saving their cents for the new BMW M5, the daddy of awesome performers. We haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but friends who have will need plastic surgery to remove the smile from their faces.
Best of the bunch. Ferrari? Porsche? Ford GT? Yes, each had its merits and luxury sports cars were obviously hard to part with.
But, if we were in the mainstream market with a limited budget and a family to ferry, we'd be looking towards the Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI. In terms of styling it's radical enough to stand out from the crowd while the 1.6-litre diesel is both frugal and lively.
The 407 is very roomy inside and the boot is big enough for golf clubs and the weekly shopping. It's handling belies its size. Well priced and our choice for 2004.
Finally, where there's a favourite there's always the ill-favoured. Take the Ssangyong Rexton - plenty of room, the muscular look of a fully-fledged off-roader, some cheap plastic accoutrements suggesting executive appeal. However, its growling outdated diesel engine, rocky handling and porridge-like gearbox get our vote for 2004's least enjoyable drive.
The Rexton's only saving grace is that it's not the Tata Safari 4x4. In its case, we'd rather save most of the €29,495 and buy a donkey and cart. The handling characteristics are similar and it would probably get more on resale.