Rephonic
Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

The Best of Car Talk

NPR
Car Talk
Car Repair
NPR
Humor
Toyota
Mercury Country Squire
Listener Stories
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 weeklyEpisodes645Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AutomotiveComedyLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Ivan was enduring an attempt to upsell him on a special oil treatment when he heard this doozy from the mechanic-turned-salesman: “We’re not the problem. We’re part of the solution.” We agree, if the solution he’s referring to is a sleazy soup of gre... more

Karen from Virginia has two problems: Her Ford Taurus wagon shakes something awful from time to time. The second problem is her physicist husband’s theories about the source of the shimmy. We ain’t Fakin’, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ on in this episode... more

Jessica and her mom both drive their VW but every time Jessica goes to start it she gets a shock. Is this some kind of anti-Fahrgvergnugen that only Jessica has to endure, or is their another possible answer? Find out on this episode of the Best of C... more

Paula from Virginia mostly wanted help with her Toyota Camry but, as a US Census agent she couldn’t resist wagging her finger to remind all of us to cooperate with the upcoming census collection. Fun ensues on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

L... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Under The Hood show
Under The Hood showNordstroms Automotive Inc.
The Economics of Everyday Things
The Economics of Everyday ThingsFreakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
This Old House Radio Hour
This Old House Radio HourAmerican Public Media

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
Helen Johnson
Caller from Dillon, Colorado who lives in her 1978 Volkswagen bus
Episode: #2581: Hapless Hubby or Hero?
Mike Haverty
Caller from Palis Heights discussing his 1989 Honda Accord
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 19.7k 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 Statesa month ago
  • Great show!

    I have CarTalk + and I listen almost every day!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    zdp7879
    United States2 months 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 States3 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 States3 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 States3 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
#76
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#56
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#99
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#126
China/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#161
Colombia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#178
Hong Kong/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2594: Having Fun with a US Census Agent
Q: Are you sending me the thing? It's back in the mail the same day?
You are good. You could be our poster boy.
#2594: Having Fun with a US Census Agent
Q: What happens if we don't answer the Census guys?
You'll go to Census jail.
#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.

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?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Best of Car Talk. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Best of Car Talk and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Best of Car Talk get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Best of Car Talk, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

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

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Best of Car Talk, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. How To Do Everything
4. The Economics of Everyday Things
5. This Old House Radio Hour

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 645 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Best of Car Talk. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

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. Helen Johnson
7. Mike Haverty
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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days