Gene Pankey Motor CO Inc

“Customers are quick to share when they aren't satisfied, which is why I want to share a unique, positive experience. My car was practically turning into a Christmas tree with multiple warning lights flashing, the check engine light on, and the power steering periodically cutting out. Stressed and convinced the car was done, I looked for a replacement and reached out to Gene Pankey based on their great reviews. Instead of taking advantage of a desperate situation and pushing a sale, they did something incredibly rare: they put my needs first. They suggested I hold off on buying (my car is a 2020) and recommended a preferred mechanic to see what was actually wrong. It turns out the car wasn't dying at all. An animal had climbed into the engine bay and chewed through the wiring! Because of Gene Pankey’s integrity, I avoided a massive, unnecessary expense. They chose honesty over making a quick buck, and that kind of customer service is hard to find these days. When the time does come to buy a new vehicle, there is absolutely no question where I’ll be going. Thank you for being a business people can trust! Heather Limke Issaquah, WA”

“Overall Experience: 2/5 Stars Here’s my experience purchasing a used 2018 vehicle from Gene Pankey Motor Company in Tacoma, broken out by team and overall experience. The Car: 4/5 Stars I purchased a used 2018 vehicle that I genuinely love. One thing I appreciated was being able to take the car to a local dealership for a pre-purchase inspection before buying it. That said, there were several quality control issues that should have been caught before delivery: • The battery still had visible battery acid corrosion on it despite being told by the salesperson it would be cleaned prior to pickup. • Shortly after bringing the vehicle home, I noticed a puddle of oil underneath the car because the oil pan drain plug had not been properly tightened after servicing from S7 Automotive. Thankfully, the oil issue was an easy fix that I handled myself, and overall I’m still happy with the vehicle — but these are details that should not be missed during inspection and prep. Salesperson Experience: 1/5 Stars The salesperson was helpful initially and I appreciated that the test drive process was low pressure. However, the overall experience left a lot to be desired. I told him upfront that I wanted the vehicle inspected at a dealership of my choosing, and he initially told me that was not allowed and that I needed to use a mechanic they preferred. Later, the sales manager clarified that I absolutely could use any mechanic I wanted. There was also a strong emphasis on closing the deal quickly because the salesperson was going on vacation and wanted the commission finalized before leaving. He repeatedly mentioned not talking to other salespeople because it could impact his commission, which felt unnecessary and unprofessional from a customer perspective. Communication also became pushy at times regarding financing paperwork and getting the check delivered. When I arrived to finalize and pick up the vehicle, the interaction felt very transactional with little appreciation or customer care shown. Sales Manager: 2/5 Stars Mixed experience here. The Sales Manager (salesperson’s boss) did ultimately clarify that I could take the vehicle to any mechanic I chose for inspection, which I appreciated. However, he also told me my license plates would be mailed out on a specific Monday, and that never happened. I ultimately had to follow up through the business manager to get the issue resolved. Business Manager: 5/5 Stars The business manager was by far the standout part of this experience and honestly saved the deal from becoming a much worse review. When I arrived to finalize paperwork, there had been internal communication breakdowns with the sales team, which caused delays with my credit union paperwork. He stepped in immediately, worked through the issue professionally, and made sure I didn’t have to make another trip. He also personally handled getting the battery corrosion cleaned after I mentioned it had not been done as promised. He was professional, customer-focused, proactive, and easily the strongest representative of the dealership during this process. Service / S7 Automotive: 2/5 Stars I didn’t deal with them directly, but based on the work completed on the vehicle prior to sale, I was not impressed. The brakes squeaked after the brake service, and the loose oil drain plug was concerning. Overall, I like the car and there were some positives about the experience, mainly the Business Manager, but the dealership’s communication both with customers and internally needs improvement, and the overall experience with the sales team left a lot to be desired.”

“I am so happy and full of gratitude for the service and customer care I received at Gene Pankey Motor Company. I had the opportunity to work with Kevin; he heard me out and met me human to human. Kevin ensured I was paired with the right vehicle at the right price and I have been over the moon with the match he found for me. Thank you so so much for the time and attention. Kevin and Gene Pankey Motor Company, you are amazing and have helped alter my ability to embrace opportunities with more more ease by having access to reliable transportation. Much love to you all!”

“I purchased a vehicle at a great price and was genuinely happy with the customer service from start to finish. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with a friendly hello, invited inside to talk about what I was looking for, and even offered water while we talked. These are good people and an even better company. I was in a bind at the time, with a 5-year-old and a daily commute from Olympia, WA to Tacoma, WA for work. I made a $5k purchase with $3k down and asked about payment options. Jason and the front desk staff were kind, friendly, accommodating, and most importantly, flexible. They pulled the car up for me to inspect and test drive. The vehicle was clean inside and out, and everything worked — lights, switches, radio, heat, and A/C. I usually wait about six months before leaving a review so I can give an honest evaluation of both the business and the vehicle. About two weeks after purchase, I took the car through a touchless car wash and noticed the top weather stripping on the front windshield had come completely loose. It appeared the windshield had likely been replaced previously, and the weather stripping was either missed or not properly secured. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to repair it yet due to the cost. About one month after purchase, I also had a fouled spark plug (#1). Thankfully, it was a simple $20 fix and I was able to do the repair myself, though it would have been expensive at a shop. Aside from leaving the lot with a newly purchased vehicle and only having 1/8 tank of gas to make the drive back to Olympia, the vehicle has otherwise been reliable. Overall, I would absolutely recommend Jason and his crew at Gene Pankey Motor Company. They were honest, helpful, and treated me with respect during a time when flexibility really mattered.”

“Jack, Jason and Kevin were very helpful, professional and respectful of our time and ensured we had a wonderful car buying experience for my wife’s new daily driver. We knew what we wanted and they worked hard to meet us on price without compromise. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great deal on a quality used vehicle! Thank you Jason for your genuine support and courteous service. We will be back and we will send anyone we know looking for a car your way. God Bless!”