Stopped by the old Ford dealership in Cedar Rapids and the parts counter is totally different now.

They used to have a huge wall of paper catalogs and a couple of guys who knew every part number by heart. Now it's just two computer screens and a kid who had to look up how to find a thermostat for a 2004 F-150. He was nice, but it felt weird. I miss the sound of those big books slamming shut. Anyone else feel like the parts counter has lost its soul?

2 comments

2 Comments

susan42410d ago

Remember when they could tell you the exact bolt size just by hearing the engine knock? That deep knowledge is gone now. The computers just give a part number without any of the story behind it. You used to get advice on what usually broke next on that model. Now you just get a price and a box. It feels less like a repair and more like a transaction.

willow67210d ago

Maybe it's just a trade-off for more reliable cars overall. The old way had charm but also meant more breakdowns. Getting a working car back matters most, even if the process feels less personal.