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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
Toyota
Automotive Repair
Automotive
Honda Accord
Volvo
Saab
Car Repairs
Volkswagen
California
Car Troubles
Toyota Camry
BMW
General Motors
Honda Civic
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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes726Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyLeisureAutomotive

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Kim’s hubby had his eye on a 4 year old Lexus that was left abandoned at the airport by a burglar after a robbery. Kim’s worried about ‘karma’, but hubby got a great deal on the car. Do ‘the bad vibes’ negate the great price? Find out why not on this... more

Jane says that there’s somebody on the outside of her Honda banging it with a hammer or, at least that’s what it sounds like when she’s driving around. Click and Clack ask a bunch of inciteful, probing questions designed to elicit meaningful details…... more

Gladys was gifted a remote starter for those cold winter days in upstate New York. But the promise of a warmed up interior on those icy cold mornings has given way to rumors about wrecked engines and voided warranties. To install or not to install: t... more

All of the great duos throughout history like Lewis and Clark, Batman and Robin, Shields and Yarnell… they all had one thing in common: they knew their roles. And when things went south, with any luck they could blame the other guy. Click and Clack a... 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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Recent Guests

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?
Rob Romans
Caller from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Army captain with a fuel/hesitation issue on a 1989 Suburban
Fort Sill, Oklahoma (Army)
Episode: #2636: In Praise of Cleveland
Vincent Gumbatz
Chief Mechanic in the Car Talk studio
Car Talk Plaza (in-studio guest)
Episode: #2634: Bug Bomb
Dave Knight
Contest winner announced during the Stump the Chumps puzzle
Listener
Episode: #2629: The Babysitter Tells All
Vinny Gumbaz
Car Talk Plaza's chief mechanic in-studio
Car Talk Plaza
Episode: #2626: Rats!
Vincent Cuban-Botz
In-studio chief mechanic
Car Talk Plaza
Episode: #2622: Starting from Stupid

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 States2 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 States2 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
    Australia4 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
#66
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#41
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#62
Saudi Arabia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#81
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#85
Netherlands/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#85
China/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#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.
#2642: Overtightening Our Belts
Q: What was causing the engine to burn and smoke after the belt replacement?
The discussion concluded that the belt was initially installed too tightly and that possibly the belt-related friction or heat could contribute to problems; later, other possibilities such as the actuator or vent doors were considered in the Stump the Chumps segment.
#2617: Definitely Not OK
Q: What causes a chirping sound after replacing a clutch?
It could be caused by a need for grease on the pivot ball where the fork attaches, or it could indicate a problem with the thrust bearing.

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.

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

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 726 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Best of Car Talk?

Recent guests on The Best of Car Talk include:

1. Sam Pichotta
2. Mary Jo
3. Deborah Garcia
4. Cherie Laft
5. Rob Romans
6. Vincent Gumbatz
7. Dave Knight
8. Vinny Gumbaz

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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