#2517: A Laser-like Focus

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

It’s intriguing to note an increasing number of manufacturers introducing track-ready features on their cars! NASCAR reveals an EV prototype, Polestar reveals a track-focused 6, and an Evija X crashes at Goodwood. The guys discuss debates for Nate M, who just has the ‘wants,’ and ...  Show more

The guys make discoveries at the PRI Show in Indianapolis! They debate options for a third shared car for Christopher P. in the Pacific Northwest, who still needs fun for he and his wife. Then, the guys help save Cathy O. from her fourth Subaru Forester! Social media questions as ...  Show more

The buying process always has twists and turns, but hopefully results in owning the car you love! Listener conclusions are the theme for Topic Tuesday, and the guys share stories of what people bought. They debate ‘baby exec’ cars for Helen W., who is leaning towards a Mercedes. ...  Show more

The end of the audio Car Debate era! The guys will release Episode 1000 as a livestream from COTA on May 31, 2025, and switch to video podcasts going forward, to be released on their original YT channel. They debate cars for Liam in NY, who needs a fun car for everything besides ...  Show more