#2416: Debbie's Automotive Impressions

When all hope seems to be lost for humanity we can still rely on practical jokes to keep us going. Feel the Schadenfreude on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Lea ... Show More

Kerry has a pothole in the alley behind her house that is so big the locals have named it, "The Pit of Despair". When the weather has been dry, her Honda CRX can climb down into, across and back out of it ok, but after a few days of heavy rain it can be rough seas in the ol' Pit. ... Show More

Norm works for the Post Office and he often has to drive over a mountain pass during big snowstorms at night in order to get to work. And he's constantly slapping at his moving windshield wipers to de-ice them while he's barreling down the road. Is there a better way? Find out on ... Show More

It’s Taco Tuesday! The new Toyota Tacoma has been revealed, and the guys drive it both on and off-road for a video now playing on their TestDrive channel. The Topic Tuesday question from Jason K. asks if people are ‘out’ to get car enthusiasts? The guys debate cool band vehicles ... Show More

Is the automotive world in a long goodbye to the renaissance of the motorcar? The guys explore this for Topic Tuesday with completely separate approaches. The debate is for Bernd E. in Germany, who is wondering when and how to jump to his next car. Social media questions ask why ... Show More

For Topic Tuesday, the guys try to figure out what four new vehicles will check off 15 different requirements! They debate comfy cars for Mike H., a young driver with the comfort preferences of an 80-year-old. Social media questions ask what’s it like to own your dream car, how m ... Show More

The guys travel to a Toyota press launch in San Diego, where they are treated to a reveal using lifeguards to help introduce the new 4Runner! Brian in NC would prefer to drive his ’04 M3 everywhere, but is reluctant to abuse it. Then, Adam J. wants to ditch the family SUV for a f ... Show More

We’re shaking things up today and sharing a preview from Car Show!, a new podcast from our friends at Pushkin Industries. Longtime Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman tells the stories of the vital cars — the ones that have changed how we drive and live, whose significance lies ... Show More

For Topic Tuesday, the guys are asked what makes a car special? Is it rarity, brand cachet or something else? They encourage Tyler C. to get rid of a sentimental car, in order to free up future desires. Social media questions ask if all-weather tires should be the default instead ... Show More

Speaking theoretically, if every manufacturer could only build one vehicle from their lineup, which ones survive? The guys go in-depth for Topic Tuesday, and decide if the icons are worth saving. They debate dad-car choices for Randy L. who already owns some fun cars, but wants s ... Show More

Special Guest Sam Smith joins the Curmudgeons in this episode! Not the singer, but the best writer in the automotive business. Sam also has his own podcast on the Hagerty Podcast Network called "Driven To Fail." This inspires Jason to bring up all the times Sam "failed" while at ... Show More

After 20 years of friendship, on and off screen, we’ve been through it all. In this episode, we tell the tale of a road trip that challenged our bond – but through thick, thin, and canned ham, we manage to prevail (read: survive). Our story originally appeared in Roundabout, a ne ... Show More

<p>Adam and Matt are both here for this episode of Car Cast. The guys open up the show talking about the LA Auto Show coming up in November. Next they get into a discussion about electric trucks and how the silence of the electric engine may add to the experience of taking a truc ... Show More