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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

The Best of Car Talk

NPR
Car Talk
Car Repair
NPR
Humor
Toyota
1971 Scout II
Listener Stories
Mercury Country Squire
Mother's Past
Volkswagen Jetta
Peugeot
Automotive Repairs
Pontiac Phoenix
Macarthur Genius Grants
Automotive Maintenance
Car Trouble
Spanish Translation
Power Steering Fluid
1969 Mustang
1977 Plymouth Voyager

America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country, and crack wise while they diagnose Dodges and dismiss Diahatsus. You don't have to know anything about cars to love this one hour weekly laugh fest.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes638Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyLeisureAutomotive

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Our ‘Family Planning Division’ has been busy! a few weeks ago it was Anne from Georgia playing ambulance driver with her post-vasectomy-reversal hubby moaning in the back seat. This time, Kara is pregnant with twins as a result of a botched vasectomy... more

Rhonda’s minivan needs help, Mike’s Subaru shuns Sundays and Gwen’s van has literally gone to the dogs on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

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Terri has a teenage son and he’s wearing her resistance down at the same time that he’s saving up for a muscle car. Rather than take the easy route, Click and Clack invite Tom’s son Alex to provide the teenage boy perspective. That and other big mist... more

Show favorite Daniel Pinkwater returns to detail his latest automotive claim to fame as the ‘uber-butt’ by which all other posteriors and car seats are measured on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podca... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jim Davis
Professor of Chemistry
World's Greatest University
Episode: #2588: A Family Affair
Daniel Pinkwater
Author and guest on Car Talk, known for his works in children's literature
None
Episode: #2587: Daniel's (Got) Back
Tom Van Heer
Caller from Boca Raton with a car issue
Episode: #2583: Tell Us Your Fantasies
Dr. Zakoska
A colleague of Dr. Kenny Rudd
Episode: #2582: Dr. Kenny and Dr. Z
Dr. Kenny Rudd
A medical doctor who previously spoke with the show
Episode: #2582: Dr. Kenny and Dr. Z
Mike Haverty
Caller from Palis Heights discussing his 1989 Honda Accord
Episode: #2581: Hapless Hubby or Hero?
Helen Johnson
Caller from Dillon, Colorado who lives in her 1978 Volkswagen bus
Episode: #2581: Hapless Hubby or Hero?
Crash Corwin
Caller from San Diego who shares a humorous story about his nickname and motion sickness in his Mazda.
Episode: #2579: Hi, My Name is Crash
Mary DePalo
Caller who humorously discusses a compost problem in her Mustang trunk
Episode: #2572: Free Compost

Hosts

Tom Magliozzi
Co-host and one of the Tappet Brothers, known for humorously and effectively diagnosing automotive issues while engaging with callers.
Ray Magliozzi
Co-host and one of the Tappet Brothers, recognized for his funny and practical advice on automotive issues presented by callers.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 19.6k ratings
  • Original air dates?

    I’ve always loved this show, my only complaint is that this podcast doesn’t state the original episode air dates somewhere in the description! Some of them you can sort of figure out through context they’re in the 90s or early 2000s, but it would be nice to know for context when exactly each of these aired originally.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Thebisexuwhale
    United States19 days ago
  • Great show!

    I have CarTalk + and I listen almost every day!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zdp7879
    United Statesa month ago
  • CarTalk + is worth it

    I am happy to support NPR and CarTalk. Click and Clack are like having two wacky, funny uncles. I listen to an episode every day for a Q good chuckle as well as learn stuff about my car. Timeless.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    popeye knew best
    United States2 months ago
  • Best show ever

    I will cry the day I can’t listen to this show. I have been listening to this show since 2000. It was a ritual that my dad and I would listen together every Sunday.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wrathxxx
    United States2 months ago
  • Good for my sanity

    It’s 2025 and I still listen to this podcast every day. The only show that makes me feel better after listening to it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Copernicusd
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive sentiments about the humor and engaging format of the show.
Some criticisms exist regarding monetization and accessibility issues that detract from the experience.
Listeners appreciate the mix of entertainment and practical automotive advice.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#64
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#213
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#250
Germany/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#60
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#66
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#92
China/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2587: Daniel's (Got) Back
Q: Why am I not getting oil to my engine filter?
There may be a malfunctioning relief valve preventing oil from reaching the filter, requiring further inspection and possibly maintenance to fix the issue.
#2587: Daniel's (Got) Back
Q: What should I do if my car is drinking coolant?
Consider seeking a thorough inspection of the cooling system to find hidden leaks, especially if previous mechanics have not identified any issues.
#2588: A Family Affair
Q: What should Terri do about her son's desire for a muscle car?
Encourage him to learn about the actual costs of owning an older car, and to show him unusual cars that appeal to girls.
#2586: A Truck?!
Q: Why is Toyota offering free replacement of head gaskets?
They likely had a problem with early failures of head gaskets that could lead to significant engine damage, prompting them to do the repairs to avoid lawsuits.
#2583: Tell Us Your Fantasies
Q: Should Kathleen drive an SUV like her family suggests?
Kathleen expresses a desire to drive a VW Passat instead of an SUV, seeking to make a moral statement with her car choice.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best of Car Talk

What is The Best of Car Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging conversations with a humorous twist, centered around car-related topics and the experiences of car owners across the country. The hosts, known for their comedic banter and witty exchanges, tackle a variety of automotive dilemmas presented by callers, ranging from quirky vehicle problems to practical maintenance advice. Each episode is enriched with funny anecdotes, light-hearted critiques of auto culture, and the hosts' unique perspective, making it entertaining for both car enthusiasts and general audiences alike.

Listeners can expect a blend of automotive wisdom and humor, ensuring that those unfamiliar with cars can still enjoy the charm of the show's format. The mix of comedic storytelling, listener inter... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Best of Car Talk?

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How many listeners does The Best of Car Talk get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Best of Car Talk?

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How many subscribers and views does The Best of Car Talk have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Best of Car Talk has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Best of Car Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Best of Car Talk:

1. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
2. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone
3. How To Do Everything
4. Science Friday
5. Under The Hood show

How many episodes of The Best of Car Talk are there?

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 638 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Best of Car Talk?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Best of Car Talk?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Best of Car Talk from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Best of Car Talk?

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What guests have appeared on The Best of Car Talk?

Recent guests on The Best of Car Talk include:

1. Jim Davis
2. Daniel Pinkwater
3. Tom Van Heer
4. Dr. Zakoska
5. Dr. Kenny Rudd
6. Mike Haverty
7. Helen Johnson
8. Crash Corwin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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