Dealer Reviews
Service Reviews
Cars for Sale
Dealer Log In
All Salespeople
Sales Department
A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,141 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
Read More
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
Service Communication
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
Filter Reviews by Keyword
By Type
Showing 1,141 reviews
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
Helpful 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
August 07, 2013
I would like to thank the A-1 service department for saving my vacation on Saturday July 27th. Me and my daughter were driving our Land Cruiser from Boston to Florida when we had a major failure on the saving my vacation on Saturday July 27th. Me and my daughter were driving our Land Cruiser from Boston to Florida when we had a major failure on the Merritt Pkwy. We limped the car into A-1 hoping the problem wasn’t as big as it seemed. Your Service People were fast, efficient, understood our problem and our needs. They showed us where to get lunch, kept us up to date with the problems and how the fixing of it was being handled. In 3 hours the car was repaired into working condition even though the fix was an abnormal problem and fix. The pricing was reasonable as I was not attacked for money as I was expecting to be driving a Land Cruiser into an unknown dealer. All this on a Saturday afternoon in a crowded service department. Please pass my thanks to your service department and I would like to note to everyone out there that A-1 Toyota proves why I buy Toyota products and what it means to provide service to the customer, even if they know they will not be a repeat customer. Dale and Julianne Johnson Woburn MA More
by dalewj
Employees Worked With
Marshall Sampietro
July 31, 2013
In 2011 we purchased a new Sienna. The sales experience was fine, however, our service experience has not met expectations. We have had several "non-maintenance" issues and for each one we had to make m was fine, however, our service experience has not met expectations. We have had several "non-maintenance" issues and for each one we had to make multiple trips to the service dept to get them fixed. The third row seat makes a horrible screeching noise in cold weather. The service department informed me that Toyota had issued a bulletin regarding this issue. Parts were ordered to fix it. Got a call that the parts were in. Waited 1.5 hours before they told me that they only ordered 1 out of the 4 parts they needed. Had to go back a second time when all parts came in and the seat still makes the same noise. Had a flat tire. Service department filled it up with air, couldn't find the hole and sent my wife on her way. Next morning the tire was flat again. Had to go back again. They found the hole this time but didn't have the tire in stock so we had to go back a third time. I'm an accountant but even I know how to find a hole in a tire. Sunroof would not close after opening. Had to order a new overhead console. Service department replaced the console, however, a few weeks later it started to fall off of the ceiling. Had to go back a second time to get it fixed. Now the front windows are pulling the weather stripping out of the door frame when you put them down. Wonder if they'll get this fixed on the first try. I didn't expect these issues from a Corolla never mind a $40k plus Sienna. I bought the Toyota because of their reputation for quality and got it at A1 because of their service reputation. Hope I didn't make a mistake. More
by cdnemec
February 21, 2013
After comparing other brands for quality, reliability, looks and resale value I had things narrowed down to a Toyota Camry or a Nissan Altima. This was the sixth new car that I have bought, but the first looks and resale value I had things narrowed down to a Toyota Camry or a Nissan Altima. This was the sixth new car that I have bought, but the first import, so I was used to the way traditional domestic brand dealers did business. I have family out of state that own Toyotas and love them, so after test driving both Nissan and Toyota my wife and I decided on Toyota. I went to another Toyota dealer that was a little closer to where I live first, then on a recommendation went to A-1 Toyota. I had a lot of questions of which all were answered honestly and never rushed through. I decided on a 2012 Camry XLE V6. I took delivery Jan. 2, 2013 My wife and I decided to have the Toyota remote starter installed after owning the Camry for a month, Paul was right there to assist us and once again the whole thing went off perfectly. Thanks again A-1 Toyota team. More
by captkev21
Employees Worked With
John Durrani
