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 Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Lori’s man is acquiring old vehicles at an alarming rate. He loves working on them but, since he’s blind, he can’t drive them. Should Lori be putting the brakes on this hobby or practice kickstarting the Harley instead? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Ellen from Boston has had enough and wants to divorce her Honda. It's been in 3 accidents, vandalized repeatedly and been hit by a falling tree. Will Click and Clack agree that this union was simply not meant to be, or will they suggest some expensive counseling sessions at the Good News Garage first? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Who doesn’t like a good flush? Certainly not us. Unless it’s our $ being flushed into some unscrupulous car dealer’s pockets via some newfangled Rube Goldberg device. Ann from Colorado thinks she might be a victim and wants Click and Clack to assuage her fears on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Our ‘Family Planning Division’ has been busy! a few weeks ago it was Anne from Georgia playing ambulance driver with her post-vasectomy-reversal hubby moaning in the back seat. This time, Kara is pregnant with twins as a result of a botched vasectomy. Urology is a tougher racket than we thought. Boy have we got questions on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Rhonda’s minivan needs help, Mike’s Subaru shuns Sundays and Gwen’s van has literally gone to the dogs on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Terri has a teenage son and he’s wearing her resistance down at the same time that he’s saving up for a muscle car. Rather than take the easy route, Click and Clack invite Tom’s son Alex to provide the teenage boy perspective. That and other big mistakes on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Show favorite Daniel Pinkwater returns to detail his latest automotive claim to fame as the ‘uber-butt’ by which all other posteriors and car seats are measured on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Shakespeare famously tried to woo a maiden by comparing her to a summer’s day. Tommy - No Bill Shakespeare he- tries comparing his wife to a truck. Will he be sleeping on the couch or in the garage this time? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Anne’s husband was under heavy sedation following a very delicate medical procedure and lying on a mattress placed in the back of their minivan for a seven hour drive home. In order to spare him the pain, Anne floored it the entire way and now hubby and the van don’t sound so good. Did she wreck the car? Did hubby survive? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Diane’s a farm girl just trying to plant this season’s crop but the various men on the farm have littered their old junk cars all over the fields. Can Click and Clack help Diane work with these fragile male egos in her midst or should she just plow ‘em under? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Katherine was looking for some simple but sage advice on what sort of mid-life crisis car would be right for her and instead of a make and model she’s getting a complete psychological work up from Drs. Click and Clack on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Got a car question that’s been burning a hole in your psyche for the past decade? Well, Ray is back for some limited engagements behind the microphone. All you have to do to ask him a car question is call 888 522 5478 and follow his instructions as to where to deposit the bitcoins (just kidding).But if you want to hear these new calls, you’re going to have to join Car Talk+ by heading over to plus.npr.org/cartalk. You’ll get access to the new calls and other prehistoric Car Talk gems, as well as complete access to about 1,000 episodes of Car Talk, too. What are you waiting for?! Car Talk+’s first bonus segment, with Ray taking caller questions, is available right now. You know what to do.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Dr. Kenny has a problem with the brakes on his Honda and Dr. Z has a beef with an answer we gave on a past show, so they decided to ring us up -while they were performing surgery! Scrub in and grab your favorite scalpel for this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Amy’s husband went out and bought a jalopy that needed a new rack and pinion that he was sure he could install. And he did! But Amy is beside herself with worry that her previously klutzy beau is going to start buying more junkers to fix. A spirited defense of amateur driveway mechanics on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Alison’s VW won’t start and to make matters worse, Click and Clack are mesmerized by her lovely Scottish accent. Will Alison have to dope slap the guys(“a skelpit lug!)to get some decent advice? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Crash from San Diego is trying hard not to live up to his nickname and he wants Click and Clack to figure out why his Mazda sways so much from side to side. Grab your helmet and check out this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Jerry’s SUV has a pronounced wiggle in the rear end and he’s unscuccessfully tried several expensive fixes. As he ticks them off to Click and Clack they beg him to make his facts fit the only diagnosis that they can come up with. Perry Mason it isn’t, on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Anne and her brood are planning a cross-country trek in their old minivan and want to be sure that they’re not going to break down at the top of Pike’s Peak. Click and Clack think that’s the wrong approach. What’s a little blown engine amongst family members? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Billy Weinheimer
I worked by driving a van through the winter to repair audio equipment and in the winter I would try to get in and out of a slush, salt, and mud covered van. I started using a self sprayed waxing wand at the car wash. This was heated so it wouldn't freeze as I sprayed. I started spraying the under carriage to clean off mud and salt. After 3 years of winters, the frame looked new and it looked newer than the 1 year old trucks my coworkers were driving. It is tough to find the heated liquid wax .
Neil and Ruchin Kansal
Hi Ray and the Car Talk team, My son Neil and I bought a beat-up ’98 Acura Integra for $5,000 and decided to rebuild it together. We didn’t know much about cars, but we learned fast—mostly through mistakes and laughter. A year later, that same clunker carried us 5,000 miles across the country. We thought we were fixing a car. Really, we were fixing our relationship. We wrote about it in our new book, The Kansal Clunker: The Car That Rebuilt Us (Koehler Books, Dec 2025), which Kirkus Reviews called “an endearing and thought-provoking road odyssey.” Would love to share the story on Car Talk — a father-and-son rebuild that’s as much about life as it is about lug nuts. Thanks, Ruchin & Neil Kansal thekansalclunker.com
Asra
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“I’m such a fan of The Best of Car Talk — the mix of humor, car wisdom, and listener stories never gets old. I recently browsed some articles on https://vizacas.com/ and found similar appreciation for blending entertainment + useful insights. Thanks for keeping this classic alive for car lovers and casual listeners alike!”
rai shb
“What a fun podcast! I always enjoy the wit, car stories, and mechanical insights. It’s like tuning up your favorite ride—listening to Car Talk refreshes your love for cars. Also, discussions about parking challenges always remind me of Car Parking Multiplayer (https://carparkingsmultiplayer.com/)— precision, patience, and just the right moment make all the difference.”