The Best of Car Talk

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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.

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387 episodes

#2528: Mister Humidity

Wendy's Honda fogs up every time she and her hubby are driving together. Do they need some 'alone time' in a more private space? Or is hubby a one-man-moisture-front? Meteoroligists Click and Clack make a few forecasts on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Apr 08
#2527: Thar She Blows!

Mike is busy getting his sailboat ready for a 2000 nautical mile journey across the Pacific but he's already sprung a leak on his way to the dock! His Jeep Cherokee keeps losing radiator caps and he can't figure out where they are ending up. 'Hoist the mainsail' and get ready for the jibber jabber on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Apr 05
#2526: Geographically Undesirable

Kate's car is on it's last legs and she's a little miffed at her boyfriend Aaron who needs to be driven around everywhere because he drives like a klutz. And to make things even worse, they live in different states! Will Click and Clack tell Kate to trade in the car, Aaron or both? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Apr 01
#2525: My Scum-Sucking Husband Wrecked My Car!

Michelle is a local lass who's ticked off at her hubby something awful! Can Click and Clack calm Michelle down enough to catch the guy a break?! There isn't a letter 'R' in the vicinity of this episode of the Best of Cah Tahk! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Mar 29
#2524: Cooking with Tommy

Our show usually starts with some sort of car problem posed by a caller, but where it goes from there is anybody's guess. On this episode of the Best of Car Talk Tommy provides us with a nice recipe for Braciole. Buon Apetito! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Mar 25
#2523: Born Again Driver

Elsa learned to drive as a 15-year-old but she's been bumming rides around Iowa City ever since. Now she's 70 and she thinks she can just hop back behind the wheel and it'll all come back to her. Will Click and Clack have enough time to warn Elsa's neighbors to stay inside for a few weeks while she tests her theory? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

39m
Mar 22
#2522: Lovable Loser

A year ago Steve jumped in his Acura and moved to Chicago, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with a new girl and a new career. He called us too late for help with the girl and the career, but can Click and Clack help him hold onto the car at least? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Mar 18
#2521: How to Make Your Car a Little Less Lousy

Rich from Wisconsin knows that his Chevy Citation isn't the greatest, but he thinks it'll be more fun if he chops off the top and makes it into a convertible with his new grinding tool. Should he or shouldn't he, and why shouldn't he? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Mar 15
#2520: Derision of Labor

We all have that one work colleague that's a lot of fun but maybe doesn't pull his weight around the office and gets on your nerves once in a while. Well, what if the 'office' was an NPR radio show and 'the colleague' was your brother? How bad would that be? Find out on this episode of The Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Mar 11
#2519: Click and Clack's Wild Kingdom

Patricia lives 3 hours from civilization in Montana and a local Buffalo has taken to hanging around her Subaru. If she can make it past Bill the Buffalo, the car also has a lousy habit of not starting. Should she throw a saddle on Bill the Buffalo instead? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Mar 08
#2518: You Guys are GOOD!

Click and Clack are so practiced at repairing marital relations damaged by spousal stupidity that they sometimes know things before they know 'em, if you know what we mean. If you don't, then check out this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Mar 04
#2517: A Laser-like Focus

Kate was carefully recreating her $200 Honda's clutch noise when Ray confessed that he had dozed off somewhere between 'Hello You're on Car Talk" and "Hi, I'm Kate." Apparently it's siesta time on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Mar 01
#2516: The Doctors Will See You Now

Despite their reputation as knuckleheads, mechanics have to deal with hundreds of different makes and models in their work, as opposed to, say, MDs who have only one make and two models to learn. How hard can medicine be? 'Let the malpractice begin!' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Feb 25
#2515: Dave from Bemidji

On this episode of the Best of Car Talk we meet one of our most memorable (and whacko) callers: Dave from Bemidji. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

39m
Feb 22
#2514: Tanks a Lot!

Cheryl thinks her brother is nuts. Click and Clack can relate, but will they agree with Cheryl that replacing his broken fuel tank with a couple of jugs in the trunk is proof? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Feb 18
#2513: Janet's Midlife Miata

Janet has a big birthday coming up and she needs to give herself something really big to help her cope. Click and Clack help Janet choose between a new face or a new car on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Feb 15
#2512: Click and Clack Get Schooled

George is a teacher calling from Berkeley, California with two problems. His Honda is acting up and so are the first graders in his classroom. Click and Clack meet their intellectual matches on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Feb 11
#2511: Mom's Freaking Out Again

The composure and patience required to teach a teenager to drive is matched only by that teenager's ability to handle the occasional parental freakout without driving onto the sidewalk. Can Click and Clack help Christine help her Mom just. chill. out already?!?! Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Feb 08
#2510: Sounds Good, but...

Should Lee take the advice of a retired mechanic friend and 'rinse' the inside of his engine with kerosene between oil changes? A mechanical hygiene lesson on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Feb 04
#2509: Undressed for Success

The list of innovations that Car Talk has brought to the 'radio call-in' genre is long: unpreparedness, lack of focus and a unique inability to take anything seriously top the list. On this episode of the Best of Car Talk we discuss 'proper attire'. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Feb 01
#2508: Hungry Water Anyone?

Ray has theories. None of them are sound, but they all good. Find out all about Ray's 'Hungry Water' fallacy on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jan 28
#2507: Mom's Dream Scenario

Julia is worried that her Dad's retirement project of replacing the engine in his heap of a GMC Suburban is going to strain her parents' relationship. Click and Clack disagree and think that Dad's hobby is going to be just what Mom wants, too. Huh? Find out why on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Jan 25
#2506: A Friend Indeed

James, great friend that he is, has offered to drive his buddy's Lexus for him for a few years until his friend returns from Amsterdam. What a guy! But is this the best thing for the Lexus? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jan 21
#2505: You.Are.A.Cheapskate.

Sandra the cheapskate, Ron the classmate, Holly Golightly and the Durango Kid(and more) all take turns trying to stump our chumps on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Jan 18
#2504: Exercises in Futility

Which endeavor is more futile: Explaining to your 16 year old son that he doesn't need his own car, or attempting to convince Siri that vegetarianism is bad? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jan 14
#2503: It's Gettin' Hot in Here!

Chris and her family were a few hours into their car trip when her hubby noticed that the engine was starting to overheat. He insisted on turning the car's heat on and, whoa nelly- it got hot in there. What was hubby thinking? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

32m
Jan 11
#2502: Stick Ma with the Bill

Tim got a free used car from his mother but the ac doesn't work and Click and Clack told him to send Ma the repair bill. And boy is Tim's mom not happy about that. A particularly fraught 'Stump the Chumps' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Jan 07
#2501: Here, Kitty Kitty

Ed is in Hawaii 'living it up like Wayne Newton!' but there's trouble in paradise in the form of some cats who like to spray his car -and not with sunscreen. Click and Clack strongly consider making a housecall on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jan 04
#24105: Mickey the Dunce

Fortunately, when car trouble arises there are among us many who can avert automotive disaster by dint of their knowledge and decisive action. But what about those rare occasions when it isn't in your interest to fix something? Meet 'Mickey the Dunce' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

31m
Dec 31, 2024
#24104: To Porsche or Not to Porsche

Are you a hopelessly romantic go-getter with a lot of cash to throw away on expensive car repairs? Then have we got a car for YOU on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Dec 28, 2024