What would you like to see on the Car Talk web site?
That’s right, we're throwing open the doors to ideas. No matter how wacko, we want to hear from you!
We realized we haven't heard from you guys in ages. Other than via your hate mail, of course.
What feature, web application, service, or time-killing idea do you feel is missing from cartalk.com? (Sorry, Jim in Boise, that "Tom and Ray as living piñatas” concept was nixed by OSHA, though wholeheartedly endorsed by NPR.)
What I would like to see is, before anyone can ask a question about their vehicle, they must include the make, model, and year of the vehicle in the question before the question be even asked.
All too many times a person will ask a general question about their vehicle, but not include this basic information.
Something I'd love to see is access to the TSBs from the various car manufacturers. On line shop manuals would be cool also; I know enough about copywrite laws to make me think it isn't going to happen, but if that would be my wish. jkd
The mechanic's listings are so good and useful, that I would like to see a few similar ones for new car dealers, used car dealers, parts suppliers and finally, salvage yards. There are some good ones in each category as well as some stinkers. Be nice to presort for the good ones.
Ok...this will not get me any points - I would like to see a few items regarding recommended car repair facilities for us Canadians. Contrary to popular belief, we do drive cars up here...not just snowmobiles. What we lack is home-grown talent like Tom & Ray...which is one of the reasons we listen to the show (yes..."we"...you guys have more than one listener up here, although trying to set up an antenna on the top of an igloo can be a bitch). You guys have a great show...keep up the great work.
Hey Jim, whereabouts in the Great White North are you? Which radio station do you pick up Tom & Ray on? Anywhere in Ontario? If so, I'll try putting up an antenna on my igloo and give it a shot eh!
i would like to be able to select to have the posts in order of most recent first. this used to be in the user set up page, on profile if memeory serves correctly.
also, if it not too much to ask, use NPR's big computer to let us know the winning megabucks number BEFORE they are drawn.
and lastly, since you guys are obviously reading (at least the web lackeys) and changing the webite, a hearty thanks for keeping the site going.
#1 CARPORN!! Nekid car parts, close ups, covered in grease and oil.
I think that'd be a great addition.
#2 A few sexy mechanics workin' on transmissions. Know any?
#3 Ratings on vintages of antifreeze, taste tests.
I love you guys!
A HELPFUL TIPS section. For example: The X crankshaft bolt was so TIGHT that I made this tool [drawing of tool and its dimensions]. .........To loosen the lug nuts, I found this technique useful: [technique explained].
A way for you to filter out all the bogus questions that common sense dictates are not real.
I just read here a question from a person that asked if her car's air bags would keep her care afloat if a bridge collasped she was driving over. com'n now.
I would like to see stories about the stupidest things people have done with/to/for their cars in the name of being too cheap/dumb/crazy to get their problems professionally fixed, or to call Tom and Ray. I'm sure there are thousands of people who are too embarrassed to tell their story AND give their name, but with the birth of the internet they only have to tell their story, and let Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe find out who they really are! Also, I'd like to hear about some of the craziest things that people do to rental cars before they turn them back in, and what excuses they gave for the cars now current condition.
Let's find out if you really know what is going on. Add some videos or slide shows to: Teach us how to do a brake job, change the oil, the valve cover gasket, the slave cylinder, or (my personal favorite) rebuild the carburetor.
And really practical stuff, like: Blowing out the carbon, an introduction to "hungry water," and what a siezed-up engine looks like when the oil hasn't been changed, (or what the sludge looks like when the oil hasn't been changed), and the 10 top ways to crack/overtorque/misgap a spark plug.
Heck, how 'bout rebuilding old classics, and then auctioning them off for npr.
You could even do it like "This Old House" but instead, you can rebuild "This Old Heap."
For the producer's club level donors to npr and above only, an exclusive "Elite Members only" bene: For the $10,000 level donor, Tom and Ray will personally come and overhaul your Maybach.
That's right, and not only will they assure the highest levels of maintenance are performed based on their years of celebrity bickering -- you don't want some overpriced grease monkey named Hans handling these bad boys -- they will pimp it up, making it the ideal ride for that certain little debutante in Daddy's world.
Are you a hedge fund gazillionaire from The Hamptons? Call Tom and Ray!!! Or just leave your post here.
Oh, The web site improvement: the pics will finally give it some class.
