Car Talk 0944 October 31, 2009
How many thousands of dollars does it take to make the new owner of a classic Jaguar cry, "Uncle!" ? Also, Winterizing 101 for a relocated Professor and her Jetta, a couple debate the best way to escape a "Stinky" on the road, and will Jamie in Nashville still love her Toyota more than her husband when she finds out why it won't go? Also, a new Puzzler from the Perfect Words series, and lots moe.
Car Talk 0943 October 24, 2009
Tommy invokes his marital mantra to helps settle a dispute over burning bugs and a smoking defroster vent. Also, a hairdryer proves to be the crucial piece of evidence in a soggy starting mystery, how to handle an annoying passenger who's also telling everyone you're a lousy driver, and a Hall of Fame worthy display of answer avoidance from Tom and Ray. Plus, a new Puzzler and lots more.
Car Talk 0942 October 17, 2009
Paging Alfred Hitchcock! A flock of turkeys has gone on the attack against—a Toyota Prius! This week on Car Talk, Tom and Ray try to figure out what's attracting the birds, and what the owner can do to discourage them? Also, three separate car owners with one goal: an encounter with a UPS truck; how to explode a muffler in one easy step; and, on Stump the Chumps, the return of Nunzio the Knucklescraper.
Car Talk 0941 October 10, 2009
A novice hearse owner learns the hard way that his "passenger" compartment doesn't have an exit strategy. Also, a Mercedes owner enjoys a 300 dollar cup of coffee and leaves with the same noise he came in with, a family of 10 goes car shopping, the true cost of home-grown tomatoes, and Ray takes the Puzzler back out on a limb.
Car Talk 0940 October 3, 2009
A Ford Explorer becomes Fido's best friend, after dog food starts spitting out from its AC vents. Also, can Tom and Ray save halibut season on the Homer Spit, by figuring out why Bill's forklift won't start? Plus, over aggressive sap removal exposes a Suburban, a Caravan emits a chirp like clockwork, and the funniest jokes in the world—that we can tell on radio.
Car Talk 0939 September 26, 2009
Is a new Mom's baby soothing technique also a recipe for brake cooking? Also, a resolution to a marital dispute elicits an unexpected response, a college student tries to get the cigarette stink out of his car before Mom and Dad come to visit, and a Suzuki owner stresses over one of the 6,438 noises his car is making. Also, a new Puzzler from the "Loaves and No Fishes" department, and lots more.
Car Talk 0938 September 19, 2009
A couple disagrees over how many headlight bulbs to replace when one burns out. Also, a Civic owner becomes a dry cleaner's best friend after his backseat begins staining all his passengers' pants, a trip to Blockbuster turns death-defying, and a Mercury fights back after becoming a Cash for Clunkers candidate. Also, Opening Day for the new Puzzler season, and lots more.
Car Talk 0937 September 12, 2009
An impulse drive up Lombard Street comes to a smoky conclusion. Also, is a quarter and a roll of tape all you really need to "fix" a cracked windshield? Plus, Stump the Chumps welcomes back Brad, the "walking talking environmental disaster", the Great Brownie-to-Mechanic Ratio debate continues, and stupidity comes to the classroom—literally!
Car Talk 0936 September 5, 2009
On this week's encore episode, Michelle in Spokane is presented with her dream vehicle—a 1974 Datsun with a missing rear window, holes in the floor, and enough other problems to make her consider sending her dream straight to the crusher. Also, a question of merging etiquette, we gain new respect for the French. and Tommy rants against—perfection.
Car Talk 0935 August 29, 2009
Can a 40-year crush on a Beetle convertible withstand a relocation to the Great Frozen North? Also, a Jeep that's running too well has an owner seeking euthanasia tips, a Lincoln channels Niagara Falls, Tommy turns into "Henny Magliozzi", and another misdirected birthday cake episode, from the Grammy files.
Car Talk 0934 August 22, 2009
A daughter's attempt to cure her Dad of one wacko driving habit could open the door to a new one. Also, how a mild-mannered Doctor's BMW became "Noah's Ark of Pestilence", a Saturn indicates a need for Xanax, two friends argue over whether pointing a remote at your chin improves its performance, and a major ethical question is answered—specifically, who gets the brownies?
Car Talk 0933 August 15, 2009
A Park Ranger's wife seeks an intervention to get her husband to fix the oil leak in his beloved BMW. Also, two cars that call for a redefinition of Cash for Clunkers—a '96 Geo that won't stop, and a '94 Escort that's bid farewell to 5th gear. And, paging Honda of Tiblesi! A CRV owner tries to prepare her car for two years overseas.
Car Talk 0932 August 8, 2009
A goat rescuer tries to find a way to keep his 4-legged tenants from climbing all over cars—especially the Alfa belonging to his girlfriend. Also, is a planned cross-country drive just a ruse to get a new car? Plus, the nigh Tommy drove on three wheels (don't drive like my brother, indeed!), and, one listener's backhanded plea for hate-mail civility.
Car Talk 0931 August 1, 2009
One listener presents his case that Tom and Ray are nothing more than a pair of dummies—the wooden kind (at least they could have been made cuter). Also, how can a guy fit into a Dodge, by any means surgical; a dog-owner wonders how to take her car-sick pooch for a test-drive that won't get messy; one man's effort to remain Licenseless in Lincoln; and one way to make public transportation more entertaining.
Car Talk 0930 July 25, 2009
The son of a music legend earns a spot in the "somewhat wacko but probably harmless driving technique" lexicon. Also, should Julie 'fess up to a fender bender, did Denise's impulse auto purchase doom her to misery, and why did Sarah's chicken go for a ride? Also, Mechanic Speak in Translation, and lots more.
Car Talk 0929 July 18, 2009
On this week's encore episode, a Magliozzi family celebration turns into a case of Grand Theft Birthday Cake. Also, a a devoted Minivan Mom finds herself tempted by a seductive Jeep Liberty, a recent college grad wonders how fast he can drive his 1938 Dodge across country, and one caller wonders if her father's trying to tell her subtly that her driving is stinko. All this, plus the most obfuscated Puzzler ever, and more.
Car Talk 0928 July 11, 2009
What's the proper way to thank a mechanic for fixing a problem in 12 seconds, and charging 25 bucks? Also, should a guy who just drove across a stream be more afraid of car damage, or his wife? And, a case of distracted braking leads to cries of "Booooogusss!" All this, some excruciating puns and more, on this week's encore edition.
Car Talk 0927 July 4, 2009
The Van Man winds up being Mr. Right for Tara in Fremont, California, who now seeks guidance for a cross-continent drive. Also, a family Volvo grows ever more hilarious as it becomes ever more difficult to stop, a prank war in Wyoming gets out of hand, and can Tom and Ray solve a problem that has vexed every Honda mechanic in Kansas?
Car Talk 0926 June 27, 2009
A husband seeks helps convincing his wife that a 13 year old, 212,000 mile Tahoe is the perfect ride for their Summer vacation. Also, Nunzio the Knucklescraper takes the car he's fixing for a night on the town and leaves evidence, a '93 Buick evokes fond memories of breakfast, and on Stump the Chumps, the source of a baffling noise is revealed.
Car Talk 0925 June 20, 2009
Loose lugnuts have a Park Ranger checking her list of enemies, but her Dad may be the prime suspect. Also, Ray recalls a Commencement foot-in-mouth incident, a caller searches for any Old Wives Tale that'll change his friend's gas habits, and how too much refrigerant can make for a very hot Summer
Car Talk 0924 June 13, 2009
Mathematicians, 4th Graders, and his own brother unite to challenge Ray on a recent Puzzler—who knew there were so many ways to get to 26? Also, a flamenco guitarist who may be one turn away from a wheel falling off, and one bouquet away from a restraining order; a forgetful husband who needs to de-stinkify his wife's Camry, and a painful lesson in clutch engagement.
Car Talk 0923 June 6, 2009
A Chevy pickup owner wonders why his tuck runs well only if it's overloaded with 1500 pounds of compost. Meanwhile, a GMC Safari owner searches for the perfect gunk to avoid a transmission rebuild, a whooping Taurus becomes a good relationship tester, and would you trade a pair of busted skis for a 10-year old Jetta that won't shift?
Car Talk 0922 May 30, 2009
Astronaut John Grunsfeld seeks help trying to loosen a calcified bolt from the Hubble Telescope. Also, a 1939 Cadillac Datemobile needs a power boost, a Jetta owner's devotion is tested by a series of unfortunate events, a roadtrip to Mount Rushmore gets muy expensive and we answer the question: Who is Pravo Yasda and why is he getting so many tickets?
Car Talk 0921 May 23, 2009
This week on Car Talk, Tom and Ray's advice helps fix the Hubble Telescope. Plus Ray's new numerical puzzler.
Car Talk 0920 May 16, 2009
What does the Chrysler-Fiat merger really mean? The return of Fiat jokes, of course! Also, a victim of catalytic converter theft explores his options, a Pontiac owner wonders who will look after his Vibe, and why is a '95 Mercedes driving all the cats out of Los Gatos, CA? Also, a new Puzzler from the world of Nouvelle Pneumatics, and lots more
Car Talk 0919 May 9, 2009
Two separate incidents: A bowling sized boulder in Death Valley and a stuck ignition key, elicit the same reaction—a 2-word phase beginning with, "Oh", and ending with a word we can't print here. Also, is 15,000 miles too long between oil changes, even if the car company's paying for it, one teenager gets advice guaranteed to get his parents (and their lawyer) on the phone, and St. Elmo's fire appears on a DC street?
Car Talk 0918 May 2, 2009
On Stump the Chumps, we find out whether a blanket really was the solution to a Subaru's starting problem. Also, why one woman's key ring raised her father's blood pressure, a VW with a little too much get up and go, and will Saab lust come between a woman and her family?
Car Talk 0917 April 25, 2009
A wife worries that her husband's foray into "Procedural Deviancy" may croak their car. Also, the car to avoid if you're driving around Cincinnati, a classic case of a car in need of an enema, some trenchant questions from an 11 year old, and late night TV strikes again!
Car Talk 0916 April 18, 2009
A Nissan owner's tire pressure warning light flashes—in front of an NSA building. Can Tom and Ray figure it out, or is this a case for Jack Bauer? Also, a Sebring begins to channel a VW diesel, a Mercedes owner can only laugh at the prospect of a 2,000 dollar brake job, and could a series of problems plaguing a Camry have been avoided by naming the car?
Car Talk 0915 April 11, 2009
Is the price of a new power steering pump worth not having to admit your wife and her ex-boyfriend are right? Also, hungry squirrels choose an unlikely Corolla part as a snack, a caller returns for more buying advice 22 years later, and some thoughts from noted maritotologists Henny Youngman, Rodney Dangerfield, and Rita Rudner.