Is Corolla the right small car for this commuter?

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Dear Michael and Jeremy:

I work in health care in Mississauga and drive to work each day in my 1988 Honda Accord. It's been great, but this will be its last winter.

It seems that all my friends at the clinic drive Toyota Corollas and they all say they haven't had any problems at all. New Accords are too expensive for me and I don't really like the looks of the [Honda]Civic, so maybe a new Corolla is the answer for me.

I told my father that I was going to write to you guys about the Corolla, but he told me there are millions of Toyotas on safety recalls and that you guys never talk about it. So, what's this about - all the recalls? And is the Corolla a good car for me?

Stacey

Cato: Stacey, before we get to the Corolla I have to say that I've written extensively about ...

Vaughan: Hold on, Cato. Before you start pounding your chest, let me step in to give you your due. You have covered the Toyota recalls in some detail on that dreary blog of yours. You've explained how the accelerator can get stuck on certain floor mats and possible remedies.

Unfortunately, Stacey and her father and millions of other Canadians have better things to do than read blogs. Even yours.

Cato: I've written about Toyota's miserable 2009 in all sorts of places, not just my globedrive.com blog, Driving it Home. But you, of course, have an attention deficit challenge, so you have not taken the time to do the research.

Of course, you are the same guy who listens to ball games on transistor radio, because you still don't believe colour television will catch on and cable is just a fad. I'm not surprised you haven't discovered the Internet as a source of timely information.

So here's what's happened in a nutshell: Transport Canada has issued a recall affecting 200,000 Toyotas, No. 2009290; it affects seven different models, including the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES350. A similar recall in the United States affects 3.8 million vehicles.

The problem involves a loose floor mat that could force down the accelerator. Toyota plans to reconfigure the accelerator pedal in the affected models and reshape the floor in the ES350, Camry and Avalon. Toyota will also install a brake override system in four models, including the Camry and ES350.

If you are involved, you'll be notified.

Vaughan: A jammed accelerator for any reason is a terrifying thing. I was out on my old Triumph Bonneville a few summers ago on twisty country roads. I gunned it in third gear and the cable stuck wide open.

These things have power and I was headed right off the road. I had a nanosecond to do something about it. Fortunately, as you know, motorcycles have a kill switch which I hit in the nick of time.

Cato: I'm glad you saved the bike.

If the accelerator jams in a Toyota, or any other car, the best thing to do is switch to neutral and hit the brakes. But you have to keep your wits about you as Vaughan, for once, did.

Now Stacey, the Toyota recall here does not apply to any Corolla made any time. The only Corolla recall in the last six years involves condensation that could affect brake performance - recall No. 2009251.

The point is, the Corolla is a very good, very safe compact car. It offers good, safe, reliable value and those are the reasons why it was the second-best-selling car in Canada last year.

Vaughan: Toyota has only made about 30 million of them over the last 40 years or so. I think it's safe to say they've got the bugs worked out by now and that the Corolla is one of the most trouble-free cars of all time.

I'd venture to say you'll never get a stuck accelerator in a Corolla.

Cato: Vaughan, if you did some research - learned to use the Internet - you wouldn't have to "venture." You'd know that for a fact the Corolla is one of the most trouble-free cars of all time.

Vaughan: But it's about as exciting as a drive through Mississauga, Cato. Have you ever been there? The only excitement is in watching to see if Hurricane Hazel gets impeached.

Cato: You are a snob. And the Hazel you refer to is the mayor, for those who don't follow Canadian municipal politics.

As for the Corolla, I think that any car you own should make you smile every time you drive it. If the Corolla makes you smile Stacey, go buy it. You won't regret it.

But don't overlook your other options. Don't write off the Civic until you drive it. Also, test the Mazda3, the Nissan Sentra and even the Kia Forte .

Vaughan: And remember Stacey, a penny saved is a penny earned. Try the Hyundai Accent; with all the discounts, the last time I checked, it sold for a mere $9,995.

Cato: Stacey, the three cars you absolutely must drive are the Corolla, the Mazda3 and the Civic. Those are the top three. If you have time, look at the Forte and the Sentra. And above all, remember there are lots of deals out there. Shop them and drive a hard bargain.

Vaughan: But don't worry a whit about Toyota recalls on the Corolla.

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Jeremy Cato and Michael Vaughan are co-hosts of Car/Business, which appears Fridays at 8 p.m. on Business News Network and Saturdays at 2 p.m. on CTV.

Send your What Car? questions to what-car@globeandmail.com

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Clarification

The 2010 Toyota Corolla is included in a company recall to fix accelerator pedals that can become stuck. The recall was announced after this story was published Jan. 21.