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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
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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
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
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Showing 1,141 reviews
June 08, 2012
A-1 proved to me that buying a car does not have to be confusing or hard. I stopped into look at new Prius hybrids, and left with one because 1)I was treated as a human, 2) prices were more than fair (inc confusing or hard. I stopped into look at new Prius hybrids, and left with one because 1)I was treated as a human, 2) prices were more than fair (including my trade-in) and 3) the sales process was focused on what I needed instead of a "sales job". I have and will recommend A-1. They do the car sales thing right. More
by jcrews
Employees Worked With
Dado
Helpful April 06, 2012
I visited A-1 Toyota to purchase a new car,my sales person Naveel was very friendly and informative. He addressed all my concerns. Will recommend this dealership, and Naveel to all my friends and famil person Naveel was very friendly and informative. He addressed all my concerns. Will recommend this dealership, and Naveel to all my friends and family. More
by Alighazagh
Employees Worked With
Naveel sayed
April 06, 2012
Their sales model is the best! No haggle, best price for trade-in... everyone is a true professional and their dealership is THE BEST. The best car-buying experience in my life! I'm so happy with my new T trade-in... everyone is a true professional and their dealership is THE BEST. The best car-buying experience in my life! I'm so happy with my new Toyota and know that I have the best dealership backing me for service! No reason to go anywhere else. Evan made the process so easy - follow-up and customer care is A-1! More
by tjachimowicz
Employees Worked With
Evan Douglas
April 06, 2012
great experience, everyone was very helpful, Edddie our salesmen was very good,no pressure, and we love our new Sienna.I would recommend A-1 to my family and friends. salesmen was very good,no pressure, and we love our new Sienna.I would recommend A-1 to my family and friends. More
by leelee39
Employees Worked With
Eddie
April 06, 2012
The easiest car buying experience I've had. I bought a 2010 Prius a few weeks ago and loved the no haggle concept. I had done my homework and knew exactly which car I wanted. Ian and Arthur made the proce 2010 Prius a few weeks ago and loved the no haggle concept. I had done my homework and knew exactly which car I wanted. Ian and Arthur made the process very pleasurable. More
by slsutton
Employees Worked With
Arthur
March 16, 2012
I had done the initial study on what I need in my car and was offered exactly what I needed at the right price. There wasn't any haggling on price and promotional offers. I worked with Danielle primarily was offered exactly what I needed at the right price. There wasn't any haggling on price and promotional offers. I worked with Danielle primarily and Ian Yuhas during my discussions and they were friendly and clear in terms of the communication. The model we were looking for was a new one and I had got most of the information from Internet already and had to clarify some concerns from them and visited the dealership mainly for the test drive. More
by vincy80
Employees Worked With
Vinod Krishnamoorthy, Danielle Taylor
March 11, 2012
I appreciated that the sales force is on salary and they were very friendly (read NO PRESSURE). My wife and I were looking specifically for a 06 Scion Xb and we drove from Springfield MA area to get it the were very friendly (read NO PRESSURE). My wife and I were looking specifically for a 06 Scion Xb and we drove from Springfield MA area to get it there, after we saw the ad (without picture mind you) online. They were able to help us when another large toyota dealership in our area said they couldn't. The staff and experience made it worth the trip. I called to see if they could email pics and they did. We set up an appointment and they even called to confirm first thing in the morning. I was very impressed and have since recommended this company to friends in our area. More
by jandbspring
Employees Worked With
Carlos and Naveel
February 29, 2012
As other customers have stated in previous reviews. Driving down for appoinment to look at a used Scion, called while on the road for directions 10 min into 45 min ride. When we get there, Oh Sorry the Driving down for appoinment to look at a used Scion, called while on the road for directions 10 min into 45 min ride. When we get there, Oh Sorry the car is being sold as we speak. The manager who runs this rathole should be flipping burgers at some hole in the wall joint in a bad area of town. Totally unprofessional, knowingly devious and dishonest. Would not recommend this dealership to my worst enemy. More
by frankfigs
Employees Worked With
Jesee
February 28, 2012
My Wife and I just picked up our new 2012 Prius Three yesterday from A1 Toyota, and I wanted to commend A1 and it's staff for the great experience we had from start to finish. I knew going in exactly yesterday from A1 Toyota, and I wanted to commend A1 and it's staff for the great experience we had from start to finish. I knew going in exactly what I wanted in the car, and how much I was willing to pay. I send out a request for a quote to four dealers in CT. Two of the other dealers wanted me to come into the dealership to discuss the options and financing before they could give me a price, even though I emailed them a list of everything I wanted in the car. I never heard back from the other remaining dealer. Joe Firine, the E-Commerce Manager at A1, was the first to respond back with an email, and the only one who quoted prices with three options in the first email. I emailed him back some additional questions, which he promptly replied to in detail. When I emailed him that I was going for the car, Joe emailed back that Patrick Joslin, a sales consultant, would be contacting me. Patrick promptly called me within 15 minutes of that email, and went over all the options and colors I wanted and told me that when they acquired the car (I wanted a specific color), he would call me. As soon as the car was in, he called back to set an appointment for us to look over the car and sign the papers if I was happy with it. We did that yesterday. Even the Finance department wasn't pushy. I had my own financing lined up, and they did not try to talk me into financing through them, unlike my previous car buying experiences. All said, I would recommend Joe, Patrick, and A1 Toyota to all my family and friends without any hesitation. Rajeev More
by rbellare
Employees Worked With
Joe Firine, Patrick Joslin
February 20, 2012
Just bought my very first new car, a 2012 Camry. I am so excited about it and all the little bonuses the dealership throws for free service. Thanks Ian! excited about it and all the little bonuses the dealership throws for free service. Thanks Ian! More
by tomjohn456
Employees Worked With
Ian
