Car Talk

by Tom Magliozzi, Ray Magliozzi

Explains how cars work, answers questions about repair problems, and tells how to prolong the life of a car

Genres: Nonfiction, Cars

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[J.Aleksandr Wootton]

A fun read, especially if you've listened to the radio program enough to hear "Click and Clack's" voices and chuckles in your head as you go. Each chapter opens with an accessible (and punchline-punctuated) of a car's major systems, followed by excerpts from calls in to the radio program from listeners whose cars were having trouble with that chapter's system. I feel like I have a better understanding of how cars work now, despite a near-total lack of interest in engines, and despite the fact that this book came out in 1991 and all of the examples are from cars built in the 70s and 80s.

[Jill Adams]

I loved hearing their voices as I read...I liked the listener questions. The other information was a lot to absorb (but I am not especially interested in cars).

[Michael Cook]

Although a convert to the old radio show (it's truly a masterclass in communication), I have no real enthusiasm for cars - so whilst Click and Clacks voice is prominent throughout, it is a book about car maintenance - and a 30 year old one at that! I suspect there are other titles that have the balance of cars to Tom and Ray better! But check out the podcast of their old shows!

[Brian Weisz]

Very funny. These guys are nearly as funny in print as they are on the air. I could hear their Boston accents and their goofy chuckles as I read. And they have that rare talent of being funny and informative. And most of the book is still spot-on. Very little of what matters in a car has changed in the last 30 years.

[Stephen Mozug]

This book depends on how much someone is familiar with the radio talk show. The book is humorous and well structured in explaining simplistic car mechanics. The transcripts from their radio are fun and support their chapters on car mechanics. The book also offers good advice on maintaining a used car. This is a niche topic and not for everyone, but for fans of the talk show it is fun.

[Michael Burniston]

Car advice largely taken from the authors' radio call-in show. Easily understood for those of us not mechanically inclined and written with great humor. Unfortunately the book is 30 years old and so a lot of the references are dated.

[Henry]

I love these guys

[Viraj]

This is exactly the book that I wanted to read so I could understand how a car functions. This is not written for those who know the auto/mechanical things inside out, but for everyday user / beginner. Along with this book, also refer to the guide I am putting together about buying used cars and also maintaining cars. Email me if you are interested, currently (2008 May) it is work in progress.

[Brian]

Car talk is about do it yourself car repair by understanding how automobiles are designed, fueled and powered. Tom Magliozzi and his brother Ray were known as Click and Clack the tap it brothers on a call in talk radio show. They compiled a simple and easy to read, humorous and informative highlights of the broadcast geared towards how to fix vehicles. Even though this book was written over 20 years ago, the theory and economics contained in the text is very useful today.

[Cindy Marsch]

Silly read in the context of what I usually read, isn't it? But I wanted a break. And I'm learning stuff! :-) Even though it's outdated, some of the principles are very good. I'm making my kids read the last couple of chapters on maintenance and the tradeoff of buying new (or nearly) and used (or keeping the used). It's not nearly as fun as the radio show, but worth the read.

[Mrbuffles]

ha ha ha ha

[Tommyb]

Cars,Auto repair

[Doug]

Charming and informative. Sometimes leaning a bit *too* informative, but their sense of humor balances nicely.