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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,143 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.
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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 1,143 reviews
August 17, 2019
A stupendous sale with absolutely NO PRESSURE I went to A1 Toyota just to browse..., however, I saw a car which I just had to drive. Dado was a great salesman, and put absolutely no pressure on I went to A1 Toyota just to browse..., however, I saw a car which I just had to drive. Dado was a great salesman, and put absolutely no pressure on me in regards to making the sale. He was truly there to answer any and all questions and I bought a car yesterday. I will definitely recommend A1 to anyone looking for a car whether it be used or new. More
by Javahead1
August 16, 2019
Excellent first experience, great staff Hello Everyone, My name is Juan i came to this dealership as my first choice and it was a great choice i recently joined the military and was coming Hello Everyone, My name is Juan i came to this dealership as my first choice and it was a great choice i recently joined the military and was coming to look for a car for where i was stationed and was immediately helped and guided to my now current Rav 4 I love my new car and highly and i mean highly recommend you go to this dealership, you skip all the arguing and hassle you get with other dealerships because they give you their honest price they can sell the car for so you're not there for hours trying to bring the price down. The staff was amazing Steve (who helped me from the beginning and helped me choose my beautiful car), Sunny who was very helpful in explaining the prices and what i was getting myself into, to Mustafa who helped me understand what the car could bring and add on to if i choose so, to Eddie who finalized all the Paperwork with no trouble. I literally got the car the same day no waiting no problems. this is an honest customer review. I want to again thank everyone who helped me through my first car buying experience and will 100% comeback and recommend everyone i know seeking to buy a car! More
by jrperez3
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Stephen Altvater
August 13, 2019
Our experience was easy, organized, and informational Emerson and Eddie went out of their way to make my fathers car shopping experience easy! They provided endless amounts of information and went above a Emerson and Eddie went out of their way to make my fathers car shopping experience easy! They provided endless amounts of information and went above and beyond to make sure he was satisfied. They are honest, caring, and genuine guys. I’m sure my father will be giving them a friendly hello every time he goes down to get his free oil change !! More
by Nb
August 10, 2019
3rd transaction same great satisfaction Ive been coming to A1 for a while now this has been my third lease with Dado and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I always feel comfortable every time lea Ive been coming to A1 for a while now this has been my third lease with Dado and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. I always feel comfortable every time leaving the dealership always excited to drive my new car and at peace with my decisions. A1 treats me life family i love coming here. More
by Aileen 147
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Stephen Altvater
August 05, 2019
Hybriddriver Helpful and intelligent sales staff. Kevin went above and beyond to make sure I knew what every light and button was for and to set up my telephone to Helpful and intelligent sales staff. Kevin went above and beyond to make sure I knew what every light and button was for and to set up my telephone to synch with the car. Frank was professional and extremely well organized - he had every paper ready to go. I had a very easy purchase experience and will definitely continue my association with their service department as well. More
by Hybriddriver
July 31, 2019
INCREDIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE I highly recommend A-1 Toyota if you are looking for an EASY car purchasing process. Kevin Wright was a pleasure to work with and extremely helpful. H I highly recommend A-1 Toyota if you are looking for an EASY car purchasing process. Kevin Wright was a pleasure to work with and extremely helpful. He is super friendly and calm, explained everything up front and answered all the many questions I had. Thank you Kevin for helping me find my dream car! I prefer the no-haggle price because I knew I was getting the lowest rate compared to other dealers. And I did my research, it really was great rate! I am completely satisfied with my purchase and have nothing but positive things to say about this dealership. More
by Samkraj
July 23, 2019
Great Amber and Frank are top notch. Honest no. I sense people who got me into the Tacoma I wanted. This was the easiest vehicle purchase I have ever made. Amber and Frank are top notch. Honest no. I sense people who got me into the Tacoma I wanted. This was the easiest vehicle purchase I have ever made. More
by Tacoma16
July 23, 2019
Professional and Customer Focused I dealt with several different dealers before finding A-1. Within a few minutes of being on the phone I knew they were a cut above the rest. I dealt with several different dealers before finding A-1. Within a few minutes of being on the phone I knew they were a cut above the rest. More
by zappa
July 22, 2019
Great Experience In the last 8 years I have walked out of Toyota, pleased. The people are great and truly care about customer service. I feel welcome here and am reall In the last 8 years I have walked out of Toyota, pleased. The people are great and truly care about customer service. I feel welcome here and am really pleased with my new car. More
by Family RPB
July 18, 2019
no comment . This is annoying. I don't really want to write a comment. Everything was fine but it does take way too long. Ok? . This is annoying. I don't really want to write a comment. Everything was fine but it does take way too long. Ok? More
by lvac881
Employees Worked With
