Tom Magliozzi (1937-2014)

Sigh.

@Dodgerblue: Sent my condolences to Ray through Doug Berman. So glad I was able to contribute to the show in my own way.

@blogenfreude: Loved those guys. Taught me a lot about cars, too – reminded me of my dad insisting on teaching me how to change a tire and my oil, insisting that I *never* buy a new car, and how to go into a mechanic’s shop and be more knowledgeable and not intimidated by condescending sexist behavior.

From the Car Talk blog – best Tom quotes:

“It’s only a car.”

“Do it while you’re young. You may never have another chance to do anything this stupid again!”

“Happiness equals reality minus expectations”

“How do you know if you’ve got a good mechanic? By the size of his boat.”

“If money can fix it, it’s not a problem.”

“Our Humility is what makes us great.”

“Reality often astonishes theory.”

“Life is too short to own a German car.”

“Kids: get away from the cell phones, get away from the computers, and mail someone a fish before it’s too late.”

“Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis” – “Unencumbered by the thought process.” Tom’s self-proclaimed motto.

“Never let the facts stand in the way of a good answer”

“Some guy I met said it’s amazing how we use cars on our show as an excuse to discuss everything in the world—energy, psychology, behavior, love, money, economics and finance. The cars themselves are boring as hell.”

“It is better to travel in hope than arrive in despair.”

“If it falls off, it doesn’t matter.”

“I like to drive with the windows open. I mean, before you know it, you’re going to spend plenty of time sealed up in a box anyway, right?”

Tom always brought a heaping of joie de vivre to the radio.

As some of you know, I post at OppositeLock – there are many laudatory comments about him.

@blogenfreude: Did you hear today’s tribute episode?

@SanFranLefty: it’s one of the few things I’ve listened to live in years. Ray’s tone was perfect.

@blogenfreude: I wanted to run to Cambridge MASS and give Ray a big bone-crushing hug. While listening, I was somehow simultaneously laughing, crying, and from time to time blowing vodka or snot out my nose because I was laughing/crying so hard.