Liz Dobson: The burning question

Toyota has wowed petrolheads everywhere with the unveiling of the FT-1 Concept at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The FT-1 shows Toyota's extreme return to its performance car roots and a possible successor to the old Supra. Following the example of the brilliant GT86, the FT-1 is a textbook low slung, front engined, rear driver, with hints of Lexus LFA in the design, inside and out. While Toyota has no plans to make the FT-1 a production reality, you can still drive the FT-1 in the virtual world as part of Polyphony's Gran Turismo 6 game.

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.