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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

The Best of Car Talk

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

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 weeklyEpisodes756Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyAutomotiveLeisure

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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Jeannie and her family were toodling along in their new minivan when the marvelous scenery became obscured by the smoke and flames coming from under their hood. Should they have attempted to save their van or were they right to pull over and run like... more

Craig needs a minivan for his work but realizes that guys driving minivans have a reputation as, well, eunuchs. Can Click and Clack -both recovered minivan drivers- help Craig ‘man up’ here? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

Support p... more

Dinesh calls in to let us know how his stroll through the length of Death Valley went last summer, and Linda from Alaska needs help with her sled dogs. Unusual extremes in temperature are met with our usually mediocre advice on this episode of the Be... more

A tornado picks up a car and deposits it in the trees and now they’re coming to steal your fish. Must be the latest episode of the Best of Car Talk.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. Car Talk's perks i... 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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Recent Guests

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!
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

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
  • 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 States2 months ago
  • Thank you

    Your podcast is amazing! Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aa Aug
    United States4 months ago
  • Amazing

    These guys put me to sleep

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Car talk sleeper
    United States5 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 States5 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 States6 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
#71
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#232
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#42
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#87
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#91
China/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#140
Argentina/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#2663: Martha, Martha, Martha!
Q: How do I remove indelible marker from my car without ruining the finish?
Use appropriate solvents from an art or stationary store, wipe quickly, then apply wax to restore the finish.
#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.

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.

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. Freakonomics Radio
3. Under The Hood show
4. Science Friday
5. Fresh Air

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 756 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. Dr. Ralph Armstrong
2. Frederick (Rick)
3. Will Shortz
4. Martha Stewart
5. Rush Hamilton
6. Mark Osmers
7. Linda Valley
8. Charles Nicol

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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