I thought Roanoke in Roanoke, Illinois was the best but…

Ivory

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Roanoke Motor Company in Roanoke, Illinois.
Overall Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

You know, I was doing what everybody does now, spending way too much time reading reviews online. DealerRater, CARFAX, Cars.com, old Viper forums, probably clicked on a crockpot recipe somewhere along the way. And I kept seeing the same story about Roanoke Motor Company in Roanoke, Illinois.

People kept saying these folks are honest. Honest mechanics! That’s rare enough to need documentation.

Customers talk about technicians who know their craft, no high-pressure nonsense, fair prices, and that genuine small-town atmosphere where they treat you like a longtime customer instead of a walking commission check. Imagine that.

Many folks say they’ve been going there 20 or 25 years. That tells you plenty. Nobody keeps coming back that long unless the place consistently does right by them.

And for Viper owners, this shop has real legend status. People drive in from all over, and one name keeps coming up: Dave. From the way enthusiasts talk about him, Dave is the guy. The kind of technician who understands these cars beyond the service manual. He doesn’t just repair them, he knows their personality. In the Viper world, that matters.

My Take as a Nearly 30-Year and 78k miles Gen 1 Viper Owner:

I’ve owned my Viper for nearly 30 years, and over that time I’ve had it cared for by some talented Viper techs. But Roanoke stands above the crowd.

They were kind enough to keep the car for me while I was out on vacation, which meant it spent nearly six weeks there, part waiting its turn for service and part waiting for me to return and pick it up. That kind of flexibility means a lot.

We flew back into the States, got home around 2:00 AM after weather delays and travel chaos. Most people would collapse into bed. But somehow, a three-hour drive to pick up the Viper the next day sounded like a reward.

And then I got behind the wheel of the freshly washed Viper and tired jet lag disappeared!

Let me tell you, the drive home was silky smooth. Strong, composed, refined, and exactly how a properly sorted Viper should feel. Sliding back into that seat felt like seeing an old girl friend who still knows how to make your heart race.

That doesn’t happen by accident. That comes from skill.

Dave clearly knows these machines, and the results speak for themselves.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Coty, the service writer. Outstanding customer service from start to finish. Great communication, professional, personable, and he made the delivery process smooth and easy. That kind of customer care is becoming rare, and it deserves recognition.

Truthfully, everyone at the shop was terrific. Friendly, capable, respectful, and clearly proud of what they do. You can feel the culture when a place runs right.

These guys don’t just fix cars. They respect them. They respect the customer too.

So a sincere thank you to Dave, Coty, and the entire team at Roanoke Motor Company. You’ve earned my trust for decades, and you still deliver.

If you care about your vehicle and want it treated properly, this is the place.
 

Steve-Indy

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Hello, Ivory...it has been a long time since we have spoken !!

I totally agree with your summation of John Gastman's Roanoke Motors operation. They are first class in my book...noting that it "starts at the top". Through the years, they have sold, serviced, solved issues on many of my fellow IN/KY members' Vipers...noting that some of the issues were actually caused or compounded by CJDR dealerships with less ability and commitment.

Great post, My Friend !!

Steve
 

venm s 1

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I live 30 minutes from them. They did work on my 2000 GTS and will work on my 99 if I need anything. John Gastman=great guy!
 
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