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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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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 03, 2017
Best experience I've ever had! Quincey delivered the best experience I've ever had buying a car. I couldn't believe the time he took out of his day to sit with me and explain every Quincey delivered the best experience I've ever had buying a car. I couldn't believe the time he took out of his day to sit with me and explain every feature the car had to offer. I can't wait to buy my next Toyota with him! More
by KristyChappell5
June 03, 2017
Have been a satisfied customer of A-1 Toyota for 15 years. Kevin was VERY patient, considerate and helpful. His service did not end when I drove out with my new car. He continued to be responsive to all my re Kevin was VERY patient, considerate and helpful. His service did not end when I drove out with my new car. He continued to be responsive to all my requests for help in understanding new features of the car I purchased. More
by Satisfied Customer
Employees Worked With
May 29, 2017
very good experience, they show respect after you buy car they still treat with respect and give you all the help they can answer any question about the car show you all the ins and outs a after you buy car they still treat with respect and give you all the help they can answer any question about the car show you all the ins and outs about the car (VERY NICE.) Quincy Smith Gray Dos Reis (very good men) More
by Whitey
May 27, 2017
Definition of amazing Customer Service!!!! I've looking for a while to purchase a vehicle and been to several dealerships, some of them not even acknowled the they had a posible new customer i I've looking for a while to purchase a vehicle and been to several dealerships, some of them not even acknowled the they had a posible new customer in front of them. The minute I walked into this dealership this young lady ( Amanda ) made me feel like I was in my living room making the transaction as smooth as possible, being in Sales myself is a great feeling that this person is there to help you and not just make a sale!!!! Every single request i had, she went above and beyond to make... Amanda you Rock!!!! More
by Edwin Gomez
Employees Worked With
Amanda Botto
May 27, 2017
Always a pleasant experience every time I purchase a vehicle I always ask for Quincy to help me purchase my new vehicle. He is always knowledgeable about the vehicle and always helpful answering any questions I I always ask for Quincy to help me purchase my new vehicle. He is always knowledgeable about the vehicle and always helpful answering any questions I may have. More
by T11
Employees Worked With
May 26, 2017
Dedicated to customer experience. Amanda, the dealer associate, was very helpful and committed to making sure that my car purchasing needs were met. I throughly enjoyed the assistance Amanda, the dealer associate, was very helpful and committed to making sure that my car purchasing needs were met. I throughly enjoyed the assistance from all of the staff throughout the entire process. I will definitely return to A-1 in the future. More
by PriusCOwner
Employees Worked With
Angel Ramos, Amanda Botto, Armando Muniz
May 26, 2017
Great, very thorough customer service experience. Amanda, our Toyota representative, was very kind and thorough. She was just as excited for me buying my first new car as I was. She helped explain eve Amanda, our Toyota representative, was very kind and thorough. She was just as excited for me buying my first new car as I was. She helped explain everything, every step of the way. All my questions were answered immediately and with a smile! I would definitely recommend friends and family to visit her directly or anyone at the dealership. Carlos in finance was also great, he got us through the hardest part of it all with quickness and ease with laughs along the way. Overall the experience was phenomenal. More
by Amanda1
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, Amanda Botto
May 25, 2017
They caused a problem to charge me for a repair I went in for my Lifetime Oil Change and complimentary tire rotation and walk out with a $150 repair bill from them breaking the bolts that hold the t I went in for my Lifetime Oil Change and complimentary tire rotation and walk out with a $150 repair bill from them breaking the bolts that hold the tire on. Ok, so I know unexpected things happen but two times they work on my tires two times the bolts are broken and need to be repaired at $100 labor and $10 per bolt. They go on and tell me it is common in older vehicles like mine and they see it a lot. So if it is common is it a defective part? if they see it a lot are they negligent and causing the problem? I complained there in person and they couldn't care less. I was just told "oh you have an old vehicle." I can understand if it was something mechanical but a bolt that holds a tire on? All 5 bolts that hold the tire on??? The only saving grace of this place is Carol (I believe it was her at the checkout counter). She happened to have a $25 coupon to help me out. But going in for a free service and still walking out with a $120+ bill due to a problem they caused... yay (a sarcastic "yay"). I don't trust this place with any repair because it seems they cause more problems in order to charge you more money. Its no wonder why they give a free oil change or free tire rotation... they get you in, break something, then hit you with a bill. I wouldn't be here complaining if they even tried to work with me. They didn't care about anything other than me paying a the bill. More
by MadAnt
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Tony the service advisor (I didn't get his last name and it wasn't on my repair summary), Conor Koulogianis
May 24, 2017
Excellent Service I’m a long time customer of A1 Toyota and always received excellent service from the dealership. Specifically Gary Dos Reis, Sales Manager and Mohamm I’m a long time customer of A1 Toyota and always received excellent service from the dealership. Specifically Gary Dos Reis, Sales Manager and Mohammad Durrani, sales consultant. Both Gary and Mohammad are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to ensure the process of buying a car goes smoothly. The whole staff is excellent. I would highly recommend buying a car from A1 Toyota. More
by GSS
May 24, 2017
Honest and straightforward I really appreciate having such an honest financial representative to work with. Took into consideration my faith based financial preferences as a pr I really appreciate having such an honest financial representative to work with. Took into consideration my faith based financial preferences as a practicing Muslim. Highly recommend More
by Light
Employees Worked With
Angel Ramos
