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#1020: Meet Van Dweller, Junior

May 15, 2010
This week's Car Talk features a bonus return appearance by Tara, formerly of California. When we last heard from her, Tara was embarking on a cross-country move with her van-dwelling boyfriend, Curtis. Apparently, the trip went well-- very well-- because she and Curtis now need help choosing a name for their upcoming offspring. Also, a life lesson for Mark in California--never trust your brother when he's wearing plaid pants. And, a Subaru gives its life to save a neighborhood from a manhole cover; Josh in Virginia wonders where the line between "good son" and "cheapskate" is; and, a marital auto mishap has Corinna in Denver shocked into repeating "$1,100!" All this, plus a new Puzzler from the Geographic Oddities series, and more, this week on Car Talk.

Show Open Topic

Tom and Ray share a unique serenity prayer.

This Week's Puzzler

A geographical oddity! From which US city can you go North, East, West or South-- yet always hit the same state, first?

Last Week's Puzzler

Ted wants to repair a 2,500-page, three-volume set of books covered in mold from page one to the last page. How much did the repair cost?

As Read on Car Talk

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22 Comments

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I suggest "Ludwig van" or "Ludwiga van"; then you needn't explain the "van" (rather obvious to all with even a non-existent interest in classical music), beyound "what WERE you thinking. If you really wanted to, you could then give the real reason.
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Van Junior's name ideas...

How about "Taravan" as a middle name? Nah? Well, we'll keep working on it. Good luck!
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Stump the Chump...
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Tara & Curtis's Child's Name

For a boy Van For a girl - Vanna Marie; same as Vanna White. She then has an alternate reason for the name. Lu
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Name for Van Dweller Jr.

I've known several persons with Van in their names.. A female friend named Evangeline who was known by her friends as "Vangie". And, the owner of my local VW dealership's name was Vance and he did alright for himself in the community.. Then there is also another fellow's name.."Evan"
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Love the show whenever I find myself near a radio on Sundays..and, I can commiserate with the fellow who couldn't remove his oil filter. I remember trying to remove the first filter on my new Vanagon..it was on so tight that the mechanic finally jabbed 2 long screwdrivers from opposite sides forming a "T" in order to get enough leverage..will getting a shower of used oil... It was the tightest oil filter that I've ever come across..in all my years of driving..
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van name

how about beetlevan?
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Put it in reverse

Name the kid, then name the van after the kid. Whatever you do, don't name the kid "son of a van"!
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van baby

How about Ivan, Savannah, or Ava with middle name starting with "N." Don't know what your last name starts with, be sure to check so your kid doesn't get the initials PIG or something.
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xxx
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Here's the name

Victoria Wanda Lastname if it's a girl. Victor William if it's a boy. VW Lastname. People might notice the initials, but really, unless the kids wants someone to know, no one will.
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A name for the van child

For the woman (from Stump the Chumps) who was looking for a name for her baby that incorporated 'van,' 'vanagon,' 'Westphalia,' etc., here are a couple suggestions: Girl: Eva Nadine (or Eva Naomi) Boy: Evan
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The bit about the woman who took a cross-Canada van trip that resulted in her first child.
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Wrong Answer

A woman had called in about her husband, a scientist, having clipped the front end of her car while parking. Her problem was that her left turn signal was now flashing at a rapid rate. You gave her the correct answer of the bulb being out but later got entangled with her mechanic's advice. She mentioned that her light was still working and you guys went on to the wiring harness. If the wiring harness was defective, then the light wouldn't have been working. The correct answer is the left rear bulb is out. Cliff43
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Van Dweller

Buy a dog, name him Van.
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Baby name for Tara

Hi Tara and Curtis, I have the perfect solution. I would be honored if you would like to use my middle name-it's an old and fairly unique family name with great initials that keep everyone guessing~ Van Vleet!! It's also my dad's middle name, so it is unisex. This way, you can give your baby a first name you both love and use this as the middle name. And the clincher--my birthday is 10-20, which also happens to be the # of this show~~so it's in the stars--you should pick this name! (Bonus Points-one sister used to own a Westfalia and another used to live in a van with her boyfriend! So much in common--it is meant to be! :^) Good Luck~~ I love your story!~ * V. V. *
Favorite Moment: 
Hearing Tara and Curtis are having a baby!
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name for baby

I think that since they had traveled across Canada and if they have a boy. They should name him Van Coover.
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Spanish major got it wrong

Your recent show featured a college graduate Spanish major who said the Spanish American war was for the independence of Texas. It was actually for Cuba, Phillipines, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Mexican American war was for Texas independence from Mexico, not Spain, nearly 50 years earlier.
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Baby Name

I think you should use the initials 'VW' instead of the name Van. Victoria Wendy, Vincent Wayne, etc.
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