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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,144 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 1,144 reviews
June 06, 2018
Our 4th New Car from A1! We were in the market for a new SUV and A1 came thru once again. Perfect test drive and explanation of the features. They had the color and options We were in the market for a new SUV and A1 came thru once again. Perfect test drive and explanation of the features. They had the color and options that we wanted on a car in stock. Lease went thru smoothly. What more can you ask for? And their service Department is very excellent, although we really hardly ever need service. More
by Vroom4
June 05, 2018
Time taking First, they don't even wash your car when you give it for a service. That's something new to me. When asked about the wash they say "no wash offered f First, they don't even wash your car when you give it for a service. That's something new to me. When asked about the wash they say "no wash offered for 'JUST' an oil change". Well, that oil change took more than 2 hours with a scheduled appointment. Tony was really helpful though. I'm just tagging him in this review cause I don't remember the names of the people with whom I interacted with. More
by Raghu
Employees Worked With
Dont remember the name
June 04, 2018
Great customer service! This is our second vehicle purchase from Quincy and A-1 Toyota. Working with Quincy is great, he always provides top notch service and keeps our best This is our second vehicle purchase from Quincy and A-1 Toyota. Working with Quincy is great, he always provides top notch service and keeps our best interest a priority. We know we are getting the best deal possible when dealing with him. We will continue our future purchases only from Quincy at A-1! More
by Lcall
June 04, 2018
Great car buying experience Look no further.... Very informative staff, super easy sales process and a great place to get your next car. Quincy was great and the process was seam Look no further.... Very informative staff, super easy sales process and a great place to get your next car. Quincy was great and the process was seamless. Friendly atmosphere- customer service is unparalleled. More
by Tatelund
June 03, 2018
I can't complain I came in to A-1 Toyota seeking information and wound up pulling a brand new Corolla iM off the lot . Al Salazar was instumental in making sure that I I came in to A-1 Toyota seeking information and wound up pulling a brand new Corolla iM off the lot . Al Salazar was instumental in making sure that I was 100% satisfied and walked me through the whole process . I was a little timid and skeptical being this was my absolute first time i purchased a brand new car but Al and Paul made the process as painless as possible . Paul got me approved and made sure I got the best rate possible . I told my sister about my experience and she will look into purchasing in the near future . Thank You and keep up the good work gentlemen ! More
by Nazeradi
Employees Worked With
Paul Walker, Al Salazar
June 01, 2018
Emerson Macavinta is geat Buying a car is a hustle that I have procrastinated as long as possible. The salesman Emerson Macavinta was polite and friendly. He made the experienc Buying a car is a hustle that I have procrastinated as long as possible. The salesman Emerson Macavinta was polite and friendly. He made the experience not only painless but enjoyable. More
by kim24
May 31, 2018
Quincy Smith is superb! Quincy Smith, our A1 Toyota salesman last night for our 2018 RAV4 AWD Limited was extremely professional, competent, technically proficient and very h Quincy Smith, our A1 Toyota salesman last night for our 2018 RAV4 AWD Limited was extremely professional, competent, technically proficient and very helpful in the leasing process for our vehicle. He took care of all of the details behind the scenes, smoothly facilitating the transfer of plates, registering and all of the other fine-grained details. He explained everything and did not pressure in any way. More
by MorrowLong
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Carlos Orozco
May 31, 2018
Great experience! I hate buying cars and dread the experience, but my experience with A1 was very good. There was no high pressure. The salesman Al Salazar answered a I hate buying cars and dread the experience, but my experience with A1 was very good. There was no high pressure. The salesman Al Salazar answered all my questions and was very friendly and polite and made the whole experience very good. Iwould recommend this dealership to people looking to buy a car. More
by Rosa1118
Employees Worked With
Al Salazar
May 30, 2018
Excellent Service! My experience with A-1 Toyota was fantastic. Quincy was extremely kind, professional, and knowledgeable, and he helped guide me to my perfect vehicle! My experience with A-1 Toyota was fantastic. Quincy was extremely kind, professional, and knowledgeable, and he helped guide me to my perfect vehicle! Everyone at A-1 Toyota is friendly and ready to help their customers. More
by shlyla
May 29, 2018
Great customer service is a hallmark of this dealership I just bought a 2018 Toyota Highlander and had the most pleasant and satisfying experience with A-1 Toyota in New Haven. This is the second Highlande I just bought a 2018 Toyota Highlander and had the most pleasant and satisfying experience with A-1 Toyota in New Haven. This is the second Highlander I bought from them so I went in looking for a fair trade in and a good quality upgrade. I was not disappointed. From the welcome greeting at the door and meeting Jose Guerrero, the sales consultant, who showed me the new vehicles and helped me select the car that was right for me, I felt I was working with a knowledgeable expert who knew the details and new features of the vehicle. They offered me a fair trade for my trade-in and I was so surprised that I was stepping up to a newer vehicle and, after the trade, my payment was actually going down. The financing process was expedited efficiently with Paul Wright assisting me. And then at delivery time, Jose expertly worked with me to show me what I needed to know to set up the Highlander at delivery. And finally, just before I drove away, the sales manager came out to make sure I was 100% satisfied before I drove away. This is as well-oiled a machine as one can find when it comes to buying a new car. Great experience. More
by Sjh2216$
