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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

The Best of Car Talk

NPR
Car Talk
NPR
Car Repair
Car Maintenance
Automotive Repair
Subaru
Toyota
Automotive
Volvo
Honda Accord
Saab
Car Repairs
California
Car Troubles
Volkswagen
Toyota Camry
General Motors
Honda Civic
Automobile Repair
Dodge

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. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, and Car Talk's perks include full archive access, new(!) call-in ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes734Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyAutomotiveLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Alison is still madly in love with her hubby of two years, but she’s just plain mad about the fact that everytime they kiss in her car she gets an electric shock. Which has to go: hubby or the car? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

Su... more

The “Good Things” Lady meets “Thing One and Thing Two”, as the Doyenne of Domesticity, Martha Stewart brings her talents to this episode of the Best of Car Talk. 

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. Car ... more

Steve emerged from a divorce without his beloved Ferrari and now he’s driving a Toyota Camry. Is there any way he can get some of the thrill that he used to get from driving his v-12 in his current 4 cylinder replacement? Find out on this episode of ... more

JoAnne’s kid at least has imagination. And he wants his first vehicle to be an ice cream truck. Not for it’s fine handling on the freeway or the high output motor, but more likely for the fun of bouncing around the neighborhood and blasting a nursery... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Under The Hood showNordstroms Automotive Inc.
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Recent Guests

Will Shortz
Puzzle editor of the New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: #2661: The Dreamsicle-Mobile
Rush Hamilton
Caller sharing name and mystery puzzle setup from Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, Connecticut
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Mark Osmers
Caller in Phoenix, Arizona with a Ford Explorer gear issue
Phoenix, Arizona
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Linda Valley
Caller from Fort Wayne with Honda Accord rain/leak problem
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Charles Nicol
Winner of puzzler answer drawn from Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Sam Pichotta
Caller from Pueblo, Colorado
Car Talk listeners
Episode: #2650: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis
Mary Jo
Caller from Charleston, South Carolina
Car Talk listeners
Episode: #2650: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis
Deborah Garcia
Winner of Stump the Chumps puzzle, from Tucson, Arizona
Listener / Car Talk audience
Episode: #2642: Overtightening Our Belts
Cherie Laft
Caller introducing herself during the Wagoneer问题 discussion
Eugene, Oregon
Episode: #2641: How Cheap is Too Cheap?

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 19.9k ratings
  • Thank you

    Your podcast is amazing! Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aa Aug
    United States2 months ago
  • Amazing

    These guys put me to sleep

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Car talk sleeper
    United States3 months ago
  • Timeless

    Truly a timeless show. You can listen to an episode from 40 years ago and it’s still as insightful and relevant today as it was back then. Because the Magliozzis had a fantastic humanity about them. They were obviously incredibly intelligent, but also down to earth and willing to listen and help. A fantastic listen in any year.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Treasy21
    United States3 months ago
  • A refuge

    In a world that I hardly recognize most days, at least these recordings are here to take me back to simpler times, riding in pickup trucks bench seat between my parents, shifting for dad as he drove through the orchards. I never thought the 90’s would be so far away. Thanks guys.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arjunayogi
    United States4 months ago
  • Will there be an AI generated continuation?

    This is a classic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    barinov2000
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the balance of troubleshooting and entertaining anecdotes.
Some express frustration with modern monetization but still enjoy the classic format.
Many value the nostalgia and family-friendly banter.
Listeners praise the show for timeless humor and practical car wisdom.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#57
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#210
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#59
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#62
Philippines/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#94
Netherlands/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#96
China/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2658: He's a Genius!
Q: What could be causing the oil starvation in the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder after driving on the freeway?
A weak oil pump or a plugged oil screen, especially given high mileage, could prevent adequate oil from reaching the engine at high RPMs; the recommended fix is an oil change and ensuring the oil system is clean and functioning.
#2654: Clean Underwear in a Can
Q: What might be causing the high-pitched noise under Heather's car and does braking affect it?
The hosts suggest it may be a stuck caliper or a bearing-related issue, explaining diagnostic steps and advising a mechanic visit for a definitive check.
#2653: Mechanic with Benefits
Q: What is the likely reason for the Ferrari reverse gear grinding and what steps should be taken?
Likely worn synchronizers or insufficient clutch disengagement; recommended steps include bleeding the clutch, possibly replacing the master/slave cylinders, replacing the clutch, and ultimately rebuilding the transmission if needed.
#2653: Mechanic with Benefits
Q: What could be the source of the squeak in the Coronado microbus and how is it diagnosed?
The squeak is traced to the front axle area and likely a worn bearing, grease issues, or noisy ball joints/control arms; the mechanic suggests removing the control arms, greasing, and possibly replacing ball joints or bearings.
#2653: Mechanic with Benefits
Q: What component causes the Lincoln's rear end to rise on load and how can it be fixed?
The level ride system, controlled by sensors and a small pump, may misread weight causing the back to rise; the fix is to inspect and likely disable or repair the system at a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, possibly removing the faulty unit.

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?

Two veteran auto-mechanics host a weekly, lighthearted call-in show that blends practical car troubleshooting with comedy and audience engagement. Listeners hear real-time diagnoses of brake, fuel, electrical, and maintenance issues, punctuated by puzzles, running gags, and playful staff banter. A recurring draw is the casual, folksy vibe: helpful repairs paired with relatable stories, crowd-sourced tips, and in-studio guests contributing hands-on expertise. The format remains distinct for its long-running puzzle segments and a culture of approachable mechanical wisdom, making it accessible to both DIY enthusiasts and casual listeners seeking entertainment with automotive insight.

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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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. Science Friday
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. Under The Hood show
5. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 734 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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What guests have appeared on The Best of Car Talk?

Recent guests on The Best of Car Talk include:

1. Will Shortz
2. Rush Hamilton
3. Mark Osmers
4. Linda Valley
5. Charles Nicol
6. Sam Pichotta
7. Mary Jo
8. Deborah Garcia

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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