Car Talk: Classic Calls

Car Talk

4.5 (32)
COMEDY

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Looking back at some of our favorite calls

09/16/2017 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1737: 30 Years of the North American Wacko

This week, we continue celebrating (and apologizing for) Car Talk's 30th Anniversary on NPR, with some of our all-time favorite "out there" calls. Our roster includes space shuttle astronaut John, whose government vehicle had a slight hesitation problem at 17,000 miles per hour; Gail, the Most Wanted Tollbooth fugitive at the Betsy Ross Bridge; Dave from Bemidji, MN, whose road trip from Alaska included using a campfire grill to fix his catalytic converter; Will, whose old dog Moses "blew beets"; and the saga of one of our heroes, lawn chair pilot Larry Walters. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk's Field Guide to the North American Wacko.

53 min
08/19/2017 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1733: Once a Brat, Always a Brat

This week on the Best of Car Talk, we hear from Tom and Ray's all-time #1 nemesis, Melissa Peterson. Years after her first missive, Melissa wants to remind the guys that she (and her dog) still hate them, but would they mind giving her some potentially life saving advice? Elsewhere, Eric's horn started blaring in he middle of the night, and he resorted to a hammer to silence it. So now he's got a busted horn and still doesn't know what set it off. Also, Pat's Lumina is running out of gas with several gallons still in the tank; Farrah's VW is blowing hot air non-stop; and Suzi's Porsche has become a great conversation starter with her male colleagues, but she can't answer any questions to keep the conversation going. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
04/15/2017 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1715: Alas, Poor Wobble Butt

This week on the Best of Car Talk, Laurie's Pathfinder earned the unfortunate nickname "Wobble Butt" because its rear end rocks from side to side. Can Tom and Ray calm Wobble Butt down and save it from further embarrassment? Elsewhere, Bob wants to know just how wacko his brother in law is for proposing adding duct work to improve the heat in Bob's mom's car. Also, Ellen's dad scolded her for having too many keys on her key ring; Chris got a little aggressive with his Dremel tool on his Camry; and Ray shares the joys (and terrors) of teaching middle school, while trying to help Susannah strengthen her anemic windshield wiper squirt. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
12/03/2016 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1649: If You Suck a Sock

This week on The Best of Car Talk, Bob is worried his car may have a permanent case of athlete's foot (or worse) after a sock got sucked into the engine. Find out how the sucking transpired and whether Tom and Ray can stop laughing long enough to ease Bob's fears. Elsewhere, Patty's Accord began mooing at her. Is her best option to try milking it? Also, Elizabeth came home from Thanksgiving to discover her Volvo's windows permanently fogged; Marlene got talked into buying an electric anti-rust device for her new car; and Mike may re-think his desire for a "heavy duty" clutch after he hears Tom and Ray's tale of the customer known as Mr. Heavy Duty and his enlarged left foot. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
11/26/2016 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1648: The Black Hole of Auto Metaphysics

This week on the Best of Car Talk, one listener postulates that a non-essential repair on an old car creates a parallel universe where everything else starts to break. Sorry, but for proof, you may have to tune to the Sci-Fi Channel. Elsewhere in the land of semi-wacko theories, Mark was told he could use rice to clean a carburetor, and Joyce's boyfriend insists on leaving his Taurus' trunk open overnight to keep it dry. Also, can Stephanie blame her mom for killing her Subaru's clutch, and is Mike's snowblower really not starting because it's too cold? And, John's mechanic ran into the age-old dilemma: Is it better to admit stupidity or gaslight the customer? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
09/17/2016 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1638: Bernsteining the Clutch

This week on The Best of Car Talk, Leonard Bernstein is immortalized in automotive lore for a shifting technique he handed down to his son. Elsewhere, Adla got a rude welcome to Boston when someone stole the battery from her Civic; Jennifer made an ill-advised bet on steering wheels with her know-it-all 18-year-old nephew; Esther's low coolant light and buzzer might be trying to send her a subtle signal about the state of her cooling system; and is John's Thunderbird suffering from Radio Frequency Interference or Dying Transmission Syndrome? All this and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
07/30/2016 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1631: Tickling the Electrons

This week on The Best of Car Talk, Dennis' friend told him the best way to charge a low car battery is by turning on all the accessories. Does this earn immediate entry into the Wacko Theory Hall of Fame? Elsewhere, Julieta's boyfriend is blaming her driveway for his Camry's starting problem, which can only be cured by the correct curse words; Molly would like a little less cowbell in her Altima; and Gail explodes the myth that women don't play practical jokes. Also, how did a rental car's exhaust suck in Mike's daughter's shirt? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

54 min
07/16/2016 • CAR TALK+ ONLY

#1629: Death by Soap

This week on The Best of Car Talk, Greg was surprised when his truck started running poorly, until he learned that his four-year-old son had washed the inside of the gas tank with soap. Should Greg stick his kid with the repair bill? Elsewhere, Judy can't decide if her son-in-law is brilliant or wacko for raising the hood of his Volvo after every drive; Gil's Camry may be leaving a trail of clutch fluid from Houston to Phoenix; Debra's knocking is nothing compared to the sound of two hosts banging their heads together trying to figure out what's causing it; and, what does Gavin's car have in common with King Tut's tomb? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

55 min

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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.

4.7 (15988)

COMEDY

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4.5

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32 Ratings

Second Best Idea Ever

11/14/2023

Polly Purebred

Whoever thought of the subscription service for Car Talk is a genius. This is almost the best idea ever second only to the idea of Car Talk itself.
Stop whining

09/06/2023

HateCitizens

Whoever the guy/girl was that’s complaining about $2.99 a month for a subscription to car talk is, forgive me, a crybaby. You don’t have to buy it stay with the free episodes. However, for $2.99 which also supports NPR you get access to a whole bunch of old episodes broken down into specific genres you can choose from. As always Tom and Ray are the absolute best. I’ve enjoyed listening to them for the last 15 or so years and miss the live shows terribly. In lieu of those the $2.99 month is an absolute bargain. Rest in peace and long live Car Talk!!
Bummer

08/26/2023

dborrego

I’ve been listening to this show for years. It is just a bunch of re-runs from years ago. It can’t cost much if anything to air. They run advertisements on it but I suppose that doesn’t pay them enough so now my favorite show is subscription only. Goodbye CarTalk.