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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
Saab
Car Repairs
California
Volvo
Car Troubles
Volkswagen
Toyota Camry
General Motors
Honda Civic
Dodge
Automobile Repair

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 weeklyEpisodes741Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyAutomotiveLeisure

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Artwork for The Best of Car Talk

Latest Episodes

Aaron has a theory about why his Chevy Impala suddenly has no power, and he’s tried a bunch of fixes that haven’t helped. Turns out it isn’t even his car, so Click and Clack want to know why they should care on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.

S... more

Jim sold some sucker his high-mileage Geo Metro junkbox for $250. A little while later, the buyer comes back and Jim is prepared to tell him, ‘No refunds!’ when the buyer hands Jim $100 instead. What gives? Find out on this edition of the Best of Car... more

From Aitkin to Zumbrota, this edition of the Best of Car Talk ‘Climaxes’(poulation 243) with a flurry of calls from the gopher state. You betcha!

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

Laraine’s Acura is making a weird fricative noise that seems to be coming from impossible locations within the engine compartment. And Click & Clack have to resort to ditching their ‘nice guy’ personas in an attempt to make Laraine’s answers fit thei... 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

Martha Stewart
Renowned lifestyle expert and guest on this episode
Episode: #2663: Martha, Martha, Martha!
Will Shortz
Puzzle editor of the New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: #2661: The Dreamsicle-Mobile
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
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

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 19.9k 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 States21 days ago
  • Thank you

    Your podcast is amazing! Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aa Aug
    United States3 months ago
  • Amazing

    These guys put me to sleep

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Car talk sleeper
    United States4 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 States4 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 States5 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
#48
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#207
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#250
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#45
India/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#69
China/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#105
Saudi Arabia/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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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. This American Life
3. The Moth
4. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone
5. Science Friday

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

The Best of Car Talk launched 19 years ago and published 741 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. Martha Stewart
2. Will Shortz
3. Rush Hamilton
4. Mark Osmers
5. Linda Valley
6. Charles Nicol
7. Sam Pichotta
8. Mary Jo

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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