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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,148 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 1,148 reviews
September 05, 2017
Excellent Experience!!! Our sale person is Emerson Macavinta, and we have been dealing with him for the past 7 years. We call him every time our lease is ending and he alway Our sale person is Emerson Macavinta, and we have been dealing with him for the past 7 years. We call him every time our lease is ending and he always made our car buying experience easy. He was great, honest and very much knowledgable of the vehicle he’s selling. Even after buying a car from, we could easily contact him if we have issues with the car. Great experience!! His expertise is highly recommended. More
by danggit345
Employees Worked With
September 04, 2017
Great experience From my first meeting with Sunny everyone was very knowledgeable and professional. My Highlander was delivered in perfect condition. All the options w From my first meeting with Sunny everyone was very knowledgeable and professional. My Highlander was delivered in perfect condition. All the options were demonstrated and all of are questions answered. Truly outstanding vehicle and dealership. More
by Ron
August 30, 2017
Only place to buy a Toyota in CT! We have bought many cars at A1 and this is our second with Brenton. We emailed in asking if a Camry was still available and Frank got back to me righ We have bought many cars at A1 and this is our second with Brenton. We emailed in asking if a Camry was still available and Frank got back to me right away, within minutes and even responded back on his off day to set an appointment with Brenton to make sure everything was ready when I came in. When I got there Brenton took care of the rest and is just a great man to deal with, no pressure and a pleasure to deal with. We will keep coming back with this kind of service, you can't get it anywhere else. More
by AllanW40
August 29, 2017
Recent service I was very pleased with my recent service for my Prius. The staff is very professional and care about you as a valued customer. They keep you appraise I was very pleased with my recent service for my Prius. The staff is very professional and care about you as a valued customer. They keep you appraised of the status of your vehicle. I would recommend them to everyone. More
by Jim b
Employees Worked With
August 29, 2017
A great car leasing experience! Sunny provided my wife and I with a tremendous leasing experience. We have leased 3 other cars from A-1 Toyota and with each one we had a very good e Sunny provided my wife and I with a tremendous leasing experience. We have leased 3 other cars from A-1 Toyota and with each one we had a very good experience. Upon walking into the dealership, Sunny sat down with us to understand what we were looking for in a new lease and what were some of the features we wanted in our new car. We viewed/drove two vehicles that were on the lot, but we felt that we were not getting the value we were looking for so decided to hold off on our decision. Sunny followed up with us multiple times and upon our second visit (about 1 week later), had the car that we were looking for with the features we wanted and the price we were willing to pay. We left that day with our next car. Deal Done! Thanks Sunny and the team at A-1 More
by epsteinr64
August 19, 2017
A1Toyota. A1Gary. with Sunny & Carlos. Great Team. The place You can go for Car dealer. Awesome services and Follow ups. We are very happy to purchase new cars. never regret with A1Toyota Teams. The place You can go for Car dealer. Awesome services and Follow ups. We are very happy to purchase new cars. never regret with A1Toyota Teams. More
by jclee
August 08, 2017
AWESOME Customer Service! I looked at the reviews online for Honda and Toyota S.U.V.'s. I was going to look at Honda vehicles but on a whim I went to the Toyota dealer in tow I looked at the reviews online for Honda and Toyota S.U.V.'s. I was going to look at Honda vehicles but on a whim I went to the Toyota dealer in town. I ended up buying a vehicle from that dealer and making a new friend my salesman More
by Mac22463
Employees Worked With
David Bryce
August 08, 2017
TERRIBLE SERVICE AND POOR COMMUNICATION!!!!! I bought an alarm system and they installed. Later on I installed an aftermarket strip of LED lights to the back of my car asnd the alarm system faile I bought an alarm system and they installed. Later on I installed an aftermarket strip of LED lights to the back of my car asnd the alarm system failed. This is not supposed to happen considering the alarm system is a new and advanced peice of hardware. Instead of finding a solution to the problem, the only thing A1 Toyota decided to do was blame and insult me. A1 Toyota has dissapointed me. More
by Alex32
August 04, 2017
A-1 Toyota is the Best! I have purchased four vehicles from A-1 Toyota. Three of my vehicles I have bought from Quincy. He always listens to me and helps me get the exact I have purchased four vehicles from A-1 Toyota. Three of my vehicles I have bought from Quincy. He always listens to me and helps me get the exact vehicle that I want. I look forward to driving my new Toyota Tacoma every day. Thank You, Quincy, and thank you A-1 Toyota for making my car buying experience great! Kathy More
by Kathy
Employees Worked With
August 02, 2017
Don't Ever Buy From Another Dealer Quincy is amazing. Carlos is amazing. A-1 is amazing. My family has always been a Toyota family, but for a variety of foolish reasons, my previous pur Quincy is amazing. Carlos is amazing. A-1 is amazing. My family has always been a Toyota family, but for a variety of foolish reasons, my previous purchase was not a Toyota and not from A-1. Boy did I regret it! My car was only 3 1/3 years old with nothing wrong with it, but I was so unhappy with the dealership I bought it at and all my service experiences, I couldn't wait to work with Quincy and get back into a Toyota! Quincy was so amazing to work with - he listened to everything I needed, was so informative on my test drive, and helped me get exactly what I was looking for!! He's so sweet and fun and, honestly, this was the least stressful and most fun car buying experience I've ever had! More
by SLirio
