#1043: The Forgetful Dealer

Oct 23, 2010
This week on Car Talk, if a dealer sells you a van but doesn't ask for any money, does he get to keep his plaid pants? Martha and her husband purchased said van five months ago and have been happily driving it, but they're a little concerned that nobody's asked them for any money. Should they come forward, or wait for the day when the bill for 20 grand plus 20 years of interest comes due? Also, The Ghost of Electric Cattle Trailer Brakes looms large, as Tom and Ray try to determine whether it's safe to put old camp-stove gas into a car, without knowing anything about camp-stove gas. And, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Murray in New Jersey was able to get his VW dealer to stop busting his chops over a warranty claim. All this, plus the true definition of friendship, and lots more, this week on Car Talk.

Show Open Topic

What's friendship, really? Tom and Ray share a friendship poem that's anything but mushy.

This Week's Puzzler

What did the officer see that cleared Bill and his shiny, red Mustang from the crime?

Last Week's Puzzler

Why are the letters "LR FUG, PHD" so very interesting?

As Read on Car Talk



4 Comments

Show Review - 1333

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Martha in West VA

THis was one of the best I have heard in years, but I'm sure the SAME call occured about three years ago? Was this a repeat or did Martha pull this off twice??
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WHen it was obvious Martha wasn't Martha, or from W-VAh
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Distressed

I couldn't stop thinking about the call from Martha. What have we come to when a well educated, comfortably off person calls to see if you think she can get away with larceny. I take some consolation in contemplating her fate when the finance company comes knocking.
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ABS

Another great episode. I just wanted to comment on the ABS problem: It could be the sensors, but in my case (Ford indeed)it was one of the wheel bearings. Theu have a magnetic ring that is read by the ABS sensor. And is needs to be installed by a pro ;) Greetings from a Dutch guy in Finland.
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Stump the chumps: best character ever!
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