Should I replace my ‘babied’ 2001 Toyota Corolla with a car that has more safety features?

I am currently driving a 2001 Toyota Corolla LE that has 160,000 kilometres on it. It is literally a “little old lady driven” car as my mom bought it new and drove it for 17 years during which time it was serviced twice a year at the dealership. Upon her passing, I came across shoeboxes with every receipt and detailed report of every service appointment. She also had an underground car wash in her condo building that she used frequently, particularly in the winter to remove the salt from the underside. To say she “babied” the car would be an understatement.

I inherited the car and have been driving it since 2018, another little old lady. I LOVE this car, not just for the sentimental value but also for the sight lines. My biggest complaint about newer cars is that, for me, there are too many blind spots. I also love how simple all the controls are. However, I do like the idea of heated seats, steering wheel, side mirrors and windshield wipers, but they aren’t deal-breakers.

I’m 4-foot-11, so I don’t want anything that would be too high for me to get into. I don’t do much highway driving, maybe a couple of times a month and probably never more than an hour’s drive and I would never drive it faster than 110 kilometres an hour.

My dilemma is that my family thinks I should get a new car for safety reasons. They aren’t confident my little car would fare well in a crash. But until I see something with wide open sight lines and a simple control panel, I will continue to resist the change. Do you have any suggestions for a small- to mid-size replacement that would meet my requirements? – Debbie

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Miranda Lightstone: There’s a solid reason that the Toyota Corolla is the No. 1 selling car in the world, with more than 50 million units sold. Debbie’s story is proof as to why these vehicles are top on lots of people’s “should I buy?” lists.

Mark Richardson: There are also many solid reasons for her to keep her mom’s Corolla. A new car will probably fare better in a collision, because we’ve learned a lot about crashes and vehicle construction in the past quarter-century, but the 2001 safety technology is still very good, especially with Toyota. That older model won’t have any of the new driver’s assistance safety features, though.

Lightstone: Debbie wouldn’t regret looking at an all-new Toyota Corolla if she feels safer in a more recent model. If fuel efficiency isn’t an issue, she doesn’t have to bother with the hybrid, but I think either way she’ll be pleasantly surprised with the “normalcy” of the interior of the new Corolla. While there is a touchscreen and wireless options, there are also a large number of buttons and knobs and the visibility is good for someone with a shorter stature. I can attest to that personally.

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Richardson: You’re not exactly tall, are you?

Lightstone: I will admit I’m taller than Debbie, but not by much at 5-foot-2. Most of the larger vehicles can be a struggle for me in terms of visibility. I understand the struggle, and can say with confidence that the new Corolla has good sight lines, even the hatchback version, which I really enjoyed driving.

Richardson: So my opinion is that Debbie should keep driving her mom’s car because she’s so happy with it and it should easily last many more years. It’s paid for, it’s not using further resources to replace it and it’s probably safe enough in a collision. However, if it were to disappear tomorrow, she won’t go wrong with a new Corolla. It’s made in Mississippi, however, and if she prefers to buy Canadian, she should consider a new Honda Civic.

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Lightstone: The Civic is also a staple in Canadian car sales and culture – it was the best-selling car in Canada last year, and for 26 of the past 28 years. However, I find as a shorter person that I sit much lower in the Civic than I do in the Corolla. It doesn’t hinder my visibility, but may cause some issues for Debbie.

Richardson: Really? The seat doesn’t raise high enough? Can’t you just sit on a cushion?

Lightstone: Let’s agree to ignore that last comment. I don’t like my head near the roof liner and proper driving sightlines mean I also shouldn’t be looking directly down at the hood or else I will focus on that instead of the road ahead. So, the Civic seats do sit lower than the Corolla when adjusted properly.

Richardson: And you definitely should not be looking through the steering wheel, like little old ladies in the movies.

Lightstone: What are you trying to get at here, Richardson? How about we turn our attention instead to a sedan I personally think has evolved in all the right ways and may be the ideal compromise, the Hyundai Elantra. Debbie shouldn’t be scared by its futuristic exterior – it is user friendly inside.

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Richardson: Hyundai has a reputation for loading its vehicles with standard comforts and technology that other brands make you pay for as options. The most basic Elantra, at about $26,000 plus taxes, comes with heated front seats, high-beam assistance and lane-keep assist – unheard of back in 2001. Another $1,800 gets a heated steering wheel, proximity keyless entry and blind-spot collision warning. Debbie might not miss her old Corolla at all.

Lightstone: Blind-spot collision warnings are paramount for us vertically challenged folk, because sometimes no amount of seat or mirror adjustment will help alleviate those spots you just can’t see. Debbie may even benefit from considering the Elantra Hybrid that could save on fuel costs if she drives as conservatively as she says.

Richardson: The Elantra hybrid is $8,500 more than the base model, so she won’t get the extra money back on fuel savings with her low mileage. It is much better equipped than the basic Elantra, with features such as a sunroof, larger wheels and a better sound system, but I’m not sure if those will appeal to Debbie.

Lightstone: The Corolla, Civic and Elantra suggestions we’ve shared are the top contenders in their segment, so Debbie won’t go wrong looking at the newer version of any of the three. My top pick would be a new Corolla if she decides not to keep the older one, which is still very much an option given how well it’s been cared for over the years.

Richardson: My top pick is the reliable car she already owns and loves. If she decides to go with a new model, take a seat in the Honda Civic first – it’s made in Alliston, Ont.

What car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at globedrive@globeandmail.com and use ‘What car’ as part of your subject line. E-mails with different subject lines may not be answered.

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