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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,145 Reviews
In the early 60’s, the owners of a local garage received a postcard announcing the production of a new four-wheel drive vehicle. At the time, the automotive industry was producing only one other vehicle in this category, so the owners thought this might be a good opportunity to introduce a new four-wheel drive vehicle that they would be able to sell as well as service. The postcard was answered and the response was the founding of the first Toyota dealership in New England and the beginning of what has become a very successful endeavor for Dominic Galardi, Anthony Buglione and A-1 Toyota.
The history of A-1 Service began before this. In January of 1951, Dom joined his father-in-law, Tony Buglione in a partnership that included a gas station and used cars. The station was located on the corner of Olive Street and St. John in New Haven.
In the late 1950’s, a new highway system was breaking through the neighborhood, people started moving to the suburbs, and with the limited space they had already outgrown, A-1 looked for a new location.
The new site they chose was in East Haven. The partnership grew to include Dominic’s brother, Andrew.
Their new location, occupying a city block on Main Street and the sign reading A-1 Auto Service, Inc., became a landmark for many.
In 1963, A-1 completed the building of the first Toyota showroom on the East Coast. In 1966, just three years after opening their dealership, A-1 became the second largest Toyota dealership in the country. Toyota’s line-up featured only two vehicles at the time, the four-wheel drive Land Cruiser and one of the first economy cars, the Tiara.
Over the years, A-1 Toyota continued to grow and in 1980 moved to their current location on Amity Road in New Haven adding the Dodge franchise that dueled with Toyota until 1990.
A-1 Toyota’s line-up looks far different than it did in 1963, but the basis for a successful business has continued. The business is still owned by the same family, and Domin
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This rating includes all dealership reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Sales Price Transparency
Service Price Transparency
Trade-in Experience
Purchase Time
Finance Experience
Workmanship
Service Time
Hours
Sales/Showroom
Monday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Service
Monday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Parts
Monday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday Closed
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Showing 1,145 reviews
August 22, 2014
Staff is very detailed and customer-driven Great dealership to do business with. Mr. Quincy Smith is a perfectionist when it comes to meeting his customer's needs. His follow-up is timely and h Great dealership to do business with. Mr. Quincy Smith is a perfectionist when it comes to meeting his customer's needs. His follow-up is timely and he is always willing to help with questions or concerns. Mike Querfeld runs a tight ship and is always on the floor and shop ensuring that customers have access to him. If you leave a message or have a concern, his response is lightning fast. I do have one suggestion, though. I've now purchased three vehicles from this dealership and, not once, did I ever see the owner or other administrators on the sales floor or in service. It is the sales and service staff that make this dealership shine. Mr. Galardi should maybe follow their lead.... More
by dagostin
June 25, 2014
Good experience We purchased a 2011 Corolla for our daughter for a high school graduation gift. We started shopping early and Quincy was great finding us cars to look We purchased a 2011 Corolla for our daughter for a high school graduation gift. We started shopping early and Quincy was great finding us cars to look at. We turned a lot down but he was persistent. We love the car we bought and since we found it several weeks prior to graduation and it was a surprise, they kept in on the lot without any problem. We really appreciated it! I will say, however, that every time we went to the dealership we waited. For sometimes well over a half hour for our appointment to test drive a car or for financing. That was bothersome. I hate to waste time and sitting in a new car dealership every time we went annoyed me. But I did make mention of that and the day we picked up the car it was ready on time and we were on our way without a hitch. And, on top of the free oil changes for life, they gave us 21 free car washes at any Splash location. I really thought that was a nice perk. Overall, I really liked A-1 Toyota. And we thought Quincy really tried his hardest to find us a car and didn't get frustrated when we rejected a car simply for its color! (No red for an 18 year old!) I would definitely go back and purchase another car there if they had what I wanted. The no-haggle price thing though, don't buy it and next time I think I would negotiate a little more. Maybe it wouldn't have worked, but would have at least tried it! All that being said, love the car and loved the experience. More
by jaycaro
June 17, 2014
Becareful buying without negotiating- Buyer Beware Quincy as a Salesperson is great and I've just purchased my 6 and 7th Toyota from him. I guess the only person I have to blame is myself for being so Quincy as a Salesperson is great and I've just purchased my 6 and 7th Toyota from him. I guess the only person I have to blame is myself for being so trusting and not dealing with A1 without the proper market knowledge of what a fair price is to pay for the two, 2014 Highlanders that I just purchased. A1 has a set price for cars which caused me to let my guard down and be overly trusting and not negotiate anything and just pay what they charged. It wasn't until after the papers were signed etc, that I realized that it appeared that I was being overcharged for optional equipment. Charging $299 for a rear bumper protector, that they sell for $119 at their parts desk and according to a few websites cost them $89 is unfair. A fair price would have been their counter price plus time for installation. And this is only one item, I bought a total of seven accesories for both cars. This is based on prices that I saw listed at the Toyota.com website, Edmunds.com, MSNautos.com web sites. I'll also definately talk to other dealers before I blindly make a purchase. So, I'll still buy from A1 in the future because they're convenient to my office, but this time I'll be very sure that I'm fully loaded with good market knowledge before I begin the purchase process. Buyer beware, lack of market knowledge can cause you to pay more than whats fair. More
by twilkos
April 23, 2014
Good deal, but need to follow up I bought a certified used Prius last year. I found the car through online listing and called to reserve the car. The price is no hassle, there was no I bought a certified used Prius last year. I found the car through online listing and called to reserve the car. The price is no hassle, there was no dealer documentation fee mentioned, but I met with an unexpected out-of-state registration processing fee, which is a few hundred dollars. Emerson the sales is very helpful, however it took me a few months with emails and phone calls to the used car manager Steve to get the "We owe" items such as the owner's manual and the missing cargo cover. The previous owner took good care of the car with oil changes every 5000 miles, I also took advantage of the free oil change. More
by mycnam
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Joe Firine, Carlos Orozco
April 19, 2014
Terrible Car Buying Experience I did a lot of research before going out to buy a new vehicle and once we narrowed our choices of vehicles down we decided to start out at A-1 Toyota. I did a lot of research before going out to buy a new vehicle and once we narrowed our choices of vehicles down we decided to start out at A-1 Toyota. I searched their inventory online and received a phone call based on my inquiry and was given an appointment to come down. When we walked in, no one knew who we were meeting with. They ended up having Brenton come up and talk to us. He was more busy trying to sell my husband a Tundra then he was answering my questions. Every question he had about the Rav 4 we were considering he asked my husband versus me who was actually buying the vehicle. He took us on a test drive basically around the block...he never took us on the highway. We asked him questions about what was in the vehicle and he told us about options that were not available in that trim line. We told him at the beginning we were not purchasing today and he pressured us into leaving a deposit and became very rude when we told him no. We left and never came back. Too bad for A-1, because we ended up buying a Toyota from another dealer. A-1 should consider sending their staff there for customer service training. More
by slknight111
Employees Worked With
April 11, 2014
Gary Dos Reis was extrememly helpful with trying to get me out of a current lease and into a new lease. He totally understood my dilemma and did a great job assisting me with my new lease. Quincy was ver me out of a current lease and into a new lease. He totally understood my dilemma and did a great job assisting me with my new lease. Quincy was very helpful with the deliver of my new vehicle. he was extremely pleasant and worked quickly so i did not spend tto much time waiting. More
by jjking1414
December 11, 2013
I just purchased a used Toyota Corolla at A1 Toyota. My sales man was Eddie. I must say this was the easiest car buying experience ever! No pressure, no haggling and no B.S. I felt right at home. While sales man was Eddie. I must say this was the easiest car buying experience ever! No pressure, no haggling and no B.S. I felt right at home. While sitting with the finance person going over #s. I was putting golf xxxxx in the gentleman's office. I would highly recommend buying a car from A1. Ask for Eddie.... Oh..don't walk in there like I did looking for a cheaper price. They don't negotiate and now I know why. Your not just buying a car. Your buying the experience. More
by kwalsh76
November 26, 2013
I had found the car I really loved on the internet, after doing some research I knew I wanted it because of the quality of Toyota's automobiles and the safety. As a single mother of a young child - that alon doing some research I knew I wanted it because of the quality of Toyota's automobiles and the safety. As a single mother of a young child - that alone sold me. I contacted the website www.a1toyota.com only to be contacted by an employee Frank (Crisafi) he was extremely friendly, personable, knowledgable and answered all of my questions before setting me up with an appointment with Paul (Evans) who showed me two cars that met my budget and helped to get me into the one I had been drooling over with the help of Gary (Dos Reis). Paul was very easy to talk and helpful - he even helped me hook my son's car seat up using the latch system in my new corolla sport. He had a young child of his own and really cared enough to take the time to make sure it was safe and fit my son. I appreciated that extra customer service and felt like he went above and beyond with his sale. Gary was extremely professional and helped me with the finance - he made me feel comfortable with my purchase. I have already been recommending all of my friends and family members to go back - I love that A1 is family owned and still treats their customers like actual people unlike some of the other dealerships in the area. More
by Chell115
November 08, 2013
This was the best experience I have ever had buying a car. Very courteous friendly service from the minute I walked into the dealership. Frank was recommended by a friend and I am glad that I followed th car. Very courteous friendly service from the minute I walked into the dealership. Frank was recommended by a friend and I am glad that I followed through. At the end of the sale the manager came outside and thanked me for my business he also made sure I understood everything that Frank went over with me. I truly recommend A1Toyota and Frank! Thank you More
by Jill13
Employees Worked With
Frank Rosado
October 25, 2013
My daughter encountered an emergency warning light on her way home to Maynard, MA and was 2 1/2 hours away from home. She had to spend some time there while they diagnosed the problem and offered her their way home to Maynard, MA and was 2 1/2 hours away from home. She had to spend some time there while they diagnosed the problem and offered her their gracious hospitality. I am writing to thank A-1 Toyota for servicing this vehicle, which they had ready within a day, making my daughter feel safe; their reasonable pricing; and also honoring a Toyota 15% service discount.coupon. My daughter was then sucessful in bring my car to Florida without incident. I have been a great fan of Toyota and have owned a 2001, 2004 and 2013 Toyota Prius with great satisfaction for the vehicle as well as Toyota service Once again Toyota has my complete endorsement! Thank you again A-1 Toyota. Kind regards, Jane More
by JaneCaracciolo
Employees Worked With
Barry
