Kalpins Sold My 82-Year-Old Father a $10,000 Lemon — Please Read Before Buying

My 82-year-old father, who still works to supplement his income, spent $10,000—his savings—on a used 2016 Chevy Equinox from Kalpins Express Auto Center in Rochester, NY. The car had about 125,000 miles and appeared to be in decent shape. For him, this wasn’t just a car—it was a lifeline to stay active and keep earning. This was the car to get him to work.Within 90 days of purchase, the car completely died. A certified mechanic diagnosed a broken timing chain and a ruined engine. We had it towed to Kalpins, hoping they’d take a closer look and try to help. They confirmed the engine was done but offered no real support. Their solution? A “replacement” engine with nearly 100,000 miles—for almost as much as he bought the car.Ultimately, my father sold the car back to them for $1,000 as scrap. He walked away with a net loss of $9,000 and no vehicle.What makes this harder to accept is that one of the owners had previously managed a well-known dealership in town, one that had a strong reputation for customer care and repeat business. That experience didn’t seem to carry over to Kalpins. Here, there was no empathy, no ownership, and no accountability.Legally, they may be in the clear. But ethically, this is a cautionary tale. If you’re considering doing business here, I urge you to proceed carefully. Get an independent mechanic to inspect the car. Know that you may not get any help if things go wrong shortly after purchase.Some people may have had good experiences here—but I’m sharing our story so that others, especially those who are older or more vulnerable, don’t end up in the same position.

This site reflects a personal opinion and experience. It is not affiliated with Kalpins Express Auto Center in any way