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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 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
February 20, 2013
I came to A-1 after a terrible experience at Barberino Nissan, so I was skeptical about all car dealerships in general. Well, A-1 Toyota, I found out, pays all their employees salary which meant that they Nissan, so I was skeptical about all car dealerships in general. Well, A-1 Toyota, I found out, pays all their employees salary which meant that they generally just wanted to help me out and there was ZERO pressure to buy a car from them. I got an amazing deal on a 2010 Toyota Carolla with 13,000 miles on it. They helped me finance at 1.9%, get the monthly payment down to where I needed it to be, and filled the gas tank up and detailed the car before I left (and I left with the car that day). The paperwork was done in an hour and I drove away with a sparkling pre owned car. I love it! Oh, and a 100,000 mile warranty and free oil changes for life. I would recommend Zubair and A-1 Toyota to ANYONE. More
by anony200
January 27, 2013
Great experience overall. Great price on the vehicle and great price on the trade-in. Both gentlemen i dealt with, Angel Ramos and Naveel Syed were very helpful. Would recommend the dealership to anyone. great price on the trade-in. Both gentlemen i dealt with, Angel Ramos and Naveel Syed were very helpful. Would recommend the dealership to anyone. More
by Howard S
Employees Worked With
Angel Ramos
January 09, 2013
I had multiple issues with my 2012 Camry SE, and the dealer would not help me, told me that I would have to wait 4 weeks to make an appointment. There was a safety issue with the Camry and it needed to dealer would not help me, told me that I would have to wait 4 weeks to make an appointment. There was a safety issue with the Camry and it needed to be fixed, I had to take it another toyota dealer. Their attitude was terrible and they didnt care to handle my concerns with the car as there were many windshield was lose, side windows rattles, doors rattle loudly, electronic issues, front seats rocked on their tracks, trim fell off etc. The way I was treated I will never buy another Toyota...I am done, going to trade in the car for another brand only had the car for 6 months, at the time of purchase sales tried to rip me off on every option the car had already installed and the interest rate for the loan was supposed to be 1.9, but when I got my bill from toyota financial it was at 2.9, I felt like I was treated lower than a WalMart customer....after spending 30k. Never again will I buy a Toyota or go to this dealer....I am done! More
by pdicrosta
Employees Worked With
Danielle Taylor
January 01, 2013
Just bought a 2012 Prius with 20,000 miles on it for 3-4 thousand less than anyone else was offering a similar car with similar miles on it. The experience was great. We got Naveel Syed and he was laid back thousand less than anyone else was offering a similar car with similar miles on it. The experience was great. We got Naveel Syed and he was laid back and explained everything in detail without going on and on. We were able to get this car financed for 4.19% through A-1, while my bank Wells Fargo was quoting me 6-7%. We dealt with Angel Ramos who is the Financial Service Manager and he was great too. We walked out with a car about 2 hours after we walked in. I would definitely recommend these guys. More
by budokaiboy
Employees Worked With
Angel Ramos
December 25, 2012
A-1 Toyota is A-1! Just completed (two weeks ago)used A-1 Toyota is A-1! Just completed (two weeks ago)used car purchase from A-1. As a car enthusiast and person with very high expectations they exceede A-1 Toyota is A-1! Just completed (two weeks ago)used car purchase from A-1. As a car enthusiast and person with very high expectations they exceeded all my expectations! From the Internet Manager which was my first contact, to the very friendly Saleswoman, to the General Manager whom was gracious enough to Welcome me and review car details, and research questions I had, to the Finance Manager who really seem to have my best interests at heart....all won my business. Every one who buys a car there, whether new or used gets a laundry list of perks, some gimmicky but Lifetime Free Synthetic Oil Changes works for me. Car is just as presented....fairly priced. For a No Hassle, Relaxing car buying or service experience go to A1! More
by Willbemogul
December 17, 2012
I was in need of a new car and decided to check out A1 Toyota. My salesman was Quincy Smith. He was very knowledge, friendly, and very flexible with my busy work schedule. Quincy took the time to expla Toyota. My salesman was Quincy Smith. He was very knowledge, friendly, and very flexible with my busy work schedule. Quincy took the time to explain all the features of my Camry se and made follow up phone calls to make sure I was completely satisfied. I was truly impressed and look forward to having a very long relationship with A1 Toyota. More
by Mgilescrna
Employees Worked With
