#2575: The Mechanic's Decision Tree

Katherine was looking for some simple but sage advice on what sort of mid-life crisis car would be right for her and instead of a make and model she’s getting a complete psychological work up from Drs. Click and Clack on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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

Dr. Kenny has a problem with the brakes on his Honda and Dr. Z has a beef with an answer we gave on a past show, so they decided to ring us up -while they were performing surgery! Scrub in and grab your favorite scalpel for this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Amy’s husband went out and bought a jalopy that needed a new rack and pinion that he was sure he could install. And he did! But Amy is beside herself with worry that her previously klutzy beau is going to start buying more junkers to fix. A spirited defense of amateur driveway mechanics on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Crash from San Diego is trying hard not to live up to his nickname and he wants Click and Clack to figure out why his Mazda sways so much from side to side. Grab your helmet and check out this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jerry’s SUV has a pronounced wiggle in the rear end and he’s unscuccessfully tried several expensive fixes. As he ticks them off to Click and Clack they beg him to make his facts fit the only diagnosis that they can come up with. Perry Mason it isn’t, on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Anne and her brood are planning a cross-country trek in their old minivan and want to be sure that they’re not going to break down at the top of Pike’s Peak. Click and Clack think that’s the wrong approach. What’s a little blown engine amongst family members? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Carl from Connecticut has a long, steep driveway that’s expensive to plow in the wintertime. He’s prepared to mount his own plow on the front of his old, high-mileage minivan and give it a go. Will it work? Find out why not on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How DO mechanics figure out what’s wrong with your car? You would hope that they’d start small and inexpensive and work their way up to the big stuff, but you’d be wrong. Listen to Click and Clack spend their customer’s money on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Courtesy of Tommy’s wife, JoAnne: a simple phrase to deal with a spouse, a mechanic -or both, in JoAnne’s case, who’s laying it on a bit too thick. Hear about all the applications on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy