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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
Honda Accord
Toyota
Volvo
Automotive
Toyota Camry
Volkswagen
California
General Motors
Honda Civic
Cars
Saab
Dodge
Automotive Humor
Car Repairs

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 weeklyEpisodes764Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyAutomotiveLeisure

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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Lee loves his Chevy Cavalier, and while there’s no accounting for taste in automobiles, Lee is undeniably one of the best car noise mimics we’ve come across. Check out his rendition of a malfunctioning V6 engine on this episode of the Best of Car Tal... more

A few years back Berle had just successfully won her hubby’s prized ’79 Mercedes in a divorce settlement and she wanted to know if she should restore it. With their vast experience with angry ex-wives, Click and Clack counseled Berle to never restore... more

Kelly from Phoenix has a peculiar palate. And as part of her investigation into some goo that was dripping onto her foot from under her car’s dashboard, she decided that she should taste said goo. The pros and cons of imbibing petrochemicals on this ... more

On this episode of the Best of Car Talk we ponder whether your favorite cola is also a suitable corrosion cutter, what to do when Fido is afire and what to make of the USPS selling 3 year old minivans for peanuts.

Support public media with NPR+ and e... 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
Chemistry professor and consulting chemist
Harvard
Episode: #2685: A Coke a Smoke and a Joke
Jack Williams
Traveling singer-songwriter and musician
Episode: #2682: Lars the Cranky Mechanic
Dr. Ralph Armstrong
Physician, guest on the show
Monroe, Louisiana
Episode: #2680: Men in Minivans
Frederick (Rick)
Caller from Arlington, Virginia
Listener
Episode: #2676: The End of the Previa
Will Shortz
Puzzle Master from Weekend Edition Sunday and The New York Times
New York Times
Episode: #2666: The Spidermobile
Martha Stewart
Renowned lifestyle expert and guest on this episode
Episode: #2663: Martha, Martha, Martha!
Mark Osmers
Caller in Phoenix, Arizona with a Ford Explorer gear issue
Phoenix, Arizona
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Rush Hamilton
Caller sharing name and mystery puzzle setup from Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, Connecticut
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!
Linda Valley
Caller from Fort Wayne with Honda Accord rain/leak problem
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Episode: #2659: Class Dismissed!

Hosts

Tom Magliozzi
One half of the Tappet Brothers; long-running host known for practical car advice and humorous banter
Ray Magliozzi
One half of the Tappet Brothers; long-running host known for practical car advice and humorous banter

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 20k ratings
  • Car talk

    So I paid to get Car Talk podcasts and suddenly they are no longer available. Not GOOD NPR. Stopping any support because of this issue.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Car talk supporter
    United States24 days ago
  • npr podcast +

    I paid fot a year subscription of npr podcast + to listen to npr cartalk that was behind pay wall, it worked for a couple months. Then I was getting blocked with needing to subscribe again popup. There is no tech support to speak of or how to contact anyone on website about this issue.I never realized all these years supporting public radio, when I needed help its non existent. So I dont recommend subscription. There is plenty of free more current youtube content and web alternatives now with vi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    teslapple
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this show

    I love this show!! Why did Apple send me an email that you are discontinuing it as a subscription?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thedeedee54RomeoTiger
    United States2 months ago
  • Rats! Grandchildren!

    Cannot say enough how much of a joy this show is - decades long fan along with my family! Just don’t tell me a 21 year old Land Rover is a bad investment. Ugh…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigAppleGreg
    United States2 months ago
  • Frustrated listener

    I happily subscribed to CarTalk+ for a long time and love this show. Today, I was not able to access the CarTalk episodes that I subscribed to because NPR now requires an NPR+ subscription even though my CarTalk+ subscription is still active. Very disappointing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ChristenYoung
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Puzzle segments and Will Shortz appearances are standout, drawing broader interest.
Paywall/premium access comments show frustration among some fans.
Listeners praise timeless humor and practical car tips.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#221
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#227
Australia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#42
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#53
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#83
China/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2685: A Coke a Smoke and a Joke
Q: What do I look for in a used car?
The hosts recommend considering a roughly three-year-old car with more believable mileage and suggest avoiding the former postal vans because their use and maintenance history are uncertain.
#2685: A Coke a Smoke and a Joke
Q: What could cause my 1997 Volkswagen Jetta to smell like maple syrup when I move the temperature gauge away from the coldest setting?
A leaking heater core may allow antifreeze vapor into the cabin through the vents. The hosts recommend checking whether the vehicle has a recall or technical service bulletin and having the heater core repaired.
#2683: Real Thing or Real Bad Idea?
Q: Do you think I should, I mean, because the dealer, we didn't get anywhere, like Consumer Affairs?
The hosts advise Paula to check the current value of a 1996 Eurovan and argue that she should seek compensation or a clear explanation from the dealer.
#2683: Real Thing or Real Bad Idea?
Q: Can I pour Dr. Pepper on the battery and will it work like a Coke?
The hosts say cola contains phosphoric acid, which can dissolve corrosion, but they are unsure how effective it is on battery terminals. They recommend baking soda mixed with water instead.
#2682: Lars the Cranky Mechanic
Q: I've got a lot of advice, and it's all good to change the oil. And let me warn you at first, I'm completely ignorant of cars. I always pay somebody to do the work, and I always hope for the best, you know?
The hosts recommend regular oil, transmission-fluid, and coolant maintenance, as well as gentle acceleration and braking to reduce wear and extend the life of Jack's van.

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?

Humor-infused call-in automotive Q&A with practical diagnostics, wordplay puzzles, and light-hearted banter. Episodes blend hands-on car repair tips with puzzler segments (often featuring a guest like a famous puzzle editor), witty stories, and sponsor reads, delivering accessible, family-friendly entertainment that also informs on common automotive issues. Notable is the enduring format: approachable hosts, real-world vehicle problems, and a playful NPR identity that keeps conversations light yet useful for everyday drivers and DIY enthusiasts.

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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. Under The Hood show
3. Science Friday
4. A Way with Words - language, linguistics, and callers from all over
5. Radiolab

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 20 years ago and published 764 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?

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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. Jack Williams
3. Dr. Ralph Armstrong
4. Frederick (Rick)
5. Will Shortz
6. Martha Stewart
7. Mark Osmers
8. Rush Hamilton

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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