The Best of Car Talk - Here We Go Again... Our Phone Line is Open

Episode Date: October 16, 2025

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

Hey, Car Talk Plus fans, it's Ray Maliazzi here, and I have a pleasant surprise. Oh, maybe not so pleasant, I don't know. More Car Talk stuff. For those of you who are Car Talk Plus or NPR Plus supporters, you'll soon see some bonus stuff showing up in your feed. Among the new segments, I'll actually be taking some calls again. That's right. I have to bone up on all my wrong answers after calls, so it might take some time.

Car Talk Plus members can hear my chats with listeners in their Car Talk Plus feed. whenever I get around to it, that is. Plus, other Stone Age, Car Talk gems, that the staff is busy digging up, and they are digging hard. So if you have an actual car question for me, you can leave me a message at 888-522-5478. That's 888-5-2-4-78. Our lackeys will pick a few every so often and then try to put me to work. And Car Talk Plus supporters will get to hear all of them to join Car Talk Plus, which is cheap, by the way, and support NPR and your favorite station, go to plus.npr.org.

Our first bonus episode is available right now in your Car Talk Plus feed. Find out more at plusnpr.org, and I look forward to struggling, as always, to answer your questions.