From about $15K to $26K in a week. Buyer says Massachusetts Toyota dealership pressured girlfriend into costly ‘trade-up’ deal

A Massachusetts man is sounding off online after claiming his girlfriend was pressured into a high-priced “trade-up” deal at a Toyota dealership in Worcester.

What started as a modest used-car purchase allegedly ballooned into a $26,000 financing agreement within a week, leaving the man wondering whether the dealership took advantage of his girlfriend.

In a post shared on Reddit, the man says that he and his girlfriend initially financed a 2021 Toyota Corolla for about $15,800. The sedan had roughly 130,000 miles and had its transmission replaced under a factory recall. But, “a week later and only 3 days of driving my GF has issues with it,” the post said.

His girlfriend brought it back to the dealership, where she was given a rental while technicians inspected the vehicle. A few days later, she was called back, and according to the Reddit post, what happened next left her partner stunned.

The $10k trade-up deal

According to the Reddit post, when she returned to the dealership, “They managed to talk her into financing a 2022 Corolla for a total of $26,000,” the man said. “I didn’t think she would immediately make this decision but they are vultures and overwhelmed her.”

The poster, who was out of town at the time, asked other Reddit users whether his girlfriend was “stuck” with the new deal or had any recourse to undo it.

The story sparked a lively debate among commenters. Most defended the trade-up as financially a better move.

One commenter pushed back on the original poster’s outrage, writing: “What do you mean screwed? I’m glad they gave her good advice. Better than her first purchase. Why weren’t you worried about her paying $16k for a car with 130k and a blown transmission? Now they help her and you are worried?”

Another user echoed that sentiment, asking pointedly: “Do you really want your girlfriend buying a 4-year-old car that already has 130k miles on it and a replaced tranny? No s—t it was having issues.” A third added, “Glad she listened to them and not you.”

As of now, it’s unclear whether the woman has any legal path to reverse the deal. But the Reddit discussion highlights how easily buyers — especially those facing car trouble — can be persuaded into high-cost trade-ins.