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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

The Best of Car Talk

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

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 weeklyEpisodes620Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureComedyAutomotive

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Anne and her brood are planning a cross-country trek in their old minivan and want to be sure that they’re not going to break down at the top of Pike’s Peak. Click and Clack think that’s the wrong approach. What’s a little blown engine amongst family... more

Carl from Connecticut has a long, steep driveway that’s expensive to plow in the wintertime. He’s prepared to mount his own plow on the front of his old, high-mileage minivan and give it a go. Will it work? Find out why not on this episode of the Bes... more

How DO mechanics figure out what’s wrong with your car? You would hope that they’d start small and inexpensive and work their way up to the big stuff, but you’d be wrong. Listen to Click and Clack spend their customer’s money on this episode of the B... more

Courtesy of Tommy’s wife, JoAnne: a simple phrase to deal with a spouse, a mechanic -or both, in JoAnne’s case, who’s laying it on a bit too thick. Hear about all the applications on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

Learn more about sponsor mes... 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

Mary DePalo
Caller who humorously discusses a compost problem in her Mustang trunk
Episode: #2572: Free Compost
Jimmy Stenica
Owner of a 1986 Toyota 4WD pickup experiencing starter issues
Episode: #2568: Ace in the Hole
Peter Daniels
Mechanic and car owner from Crested Butte
Episode: #2566: Sparks-a-Flying
Tom Jones
Caller from Topeka, originally from the iconic music background
Episode: #2563: Flaming Bugs from Hell
Linda Weaselquist
Caller from Seattle with a Volvo problem
Episode: #2544: I Fixed the Car Again, Honey!
Anthony Williams
Caller from Plainfield, Connecticut, owner of a 1994 LeBaron
Episode: #2535: How to Stack Your Sled Dogs
Tony McLeod
Caller discussing a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GT brake pulsing issue
Episode: #2534: Uncle Know it All
Shanta Ness
Caller from Ann Arbor, Michigan with a Honda Accord issue
Episode: #2524: Cooking with Tommy
Natalie Conrad
Caller from Oak Park, Michigan with a 1992 Sunbird
Episode: #2523: Born Again Driver

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
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • Loved the show in the past. Great to hear it replayed.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Just Me
    a month ago
  • Thank you so very much for preserving these shoes for posterity and fun! These are amongst the most enjoyable shows ever recorded

    Audible
    5
    Todd Bowden
    United Statesa month ago
  • W trump L npr

    Great show, tho

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    person #48201
    United States2 months ago
  • i want a shoutout NOW

    please give me shoutout i like cars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    can i have i shoutout
    Canada3 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
#57
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#170
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#223
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#86
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#112
China/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#133
Saudi Arabia/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2575: The Mechanic's Decision Tree
Q: What advice do you have for Amanda regarding her power steering issue?
Tom and Ray suggest that Amanda's rack might be stripped and that it could be serious.
#2575: The Mechanic's Decision Tree
Q: What's the problem you have?
Joff believes the clutch on his pickup truck is slipping, but he's unsure if it's the clutch or something else.
#2569: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Q: What could be causing the pulsating noise in my 88 Thunderbird?
It may be related to a vacuum leak or a lazy EGR valve.
#2569: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Q: Should I worry about the squeaking noise coming from my car?
No, it sounds like it's noisy bushings but is not a safety issue.
#2567: Someone is Going to Pay Dearly for This
Q: What's causing Jerry's Pontiac to ping?
The pinging is likely due to excessive buildup of carbon affecting the engine's performance and increasing the compression ratio, causing the need for a water injection system.

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

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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. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone
5. How To Do Everything

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 18 years ago and published 620 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Best of Car Talk?

Recent guests on The Best of Car Talk include:

1. Mary DePalo
2. Jimmy Stenica
3. Peter Daniels
4. Tom Jones
5. Linda Weaselquist
6. Anthony Williams
7. Tony McLeod
8. Shanta Ness

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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