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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.
Sales Price Transparency
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
May 24, 2017
Great experience buying Toyota CH-R Fantastic experience dealing with Kevin who was very patient and helpful....everyone there was very accommodating and dealt with me honestly and fairl Fantastic experience dealing with Kevin who was very patient and helpful....everyone there was very accommodating and dealt with me honestly and fairly...very happy with the vehicle i bought More
by Sun49er
May 22, 2017
Breath of Fresh Air Amazing service. Gary and Amanda both went above and beyond. I walked in wanting to trade in my car for a car that wasn't even on the lot! They found Amazing service. Gary and Amanda both went above and beyond. I walked in wanting to trade in my car for a car that wasn't even on the lot! They found me the car I wanted and I didn't once have that pressured feeling. They have a customer first mentality... looking for long term, returning customers, not just your typical 'buy and fly'! I look forward to working with Gary and Amanda in the future, and plan to send them as many referrals as I can. Also, Carlos helped me understand and compare different options from a Finance perspective. I appreciated his time walking me through the paperwork in an easy to understand format. Thank you all! I am really excited for my "new" used vehicle! More
by Jessica Massari
May 21, 2017
Leasing a new car Sunny has helped me before in picking out a car and I wouldn't have anyone else!!!!!!! He is courteous, pleasant, he listens, and he will move heaven Sunny has helped me before in picking out a car and I wouldn't have anyone else!!!!!!! He is courteous, pleasant, he listens, and he will move heaven and earth , to get you what you are looking for.! He is a HUGE asset to A 1 Toyota! More
by Lindalou
Employees Worked With
Sunny Dhawan, Angel Ramos
May 19, 2017
Excellent Experience! I have been a customer of A1 Toyota since 2008 and I have been very pleased working with their Sales Team. Specifically Quincy and Carlos they have pr I have been a customer of A1 Toyota since 2008 and I have been very pleased working with their Sales Team. Specifically Quincy and Carlos they have proven to be very helpful and have made me feel at home wether it comes to Buying a new vehicle or when servicing my vehicle. I never need to worry I feel very relaxed in knowing that I am in good hands with the A1 team. More
by Jfedz
May 17, 2017
Poor service disorganized I called and left a VM for service. No one called me back. My wife called the next day and they made an appointment for the wrong day. When I got ther I called and left a VM for service. No one called me back. My wife called the next day and they made an appointment for the wrong day. When I got there they were confused and had me for a different day. Then when I came to pick up the car no one helped me for fifteen minutes and didnt know where the car was. They were very confused and kept making it sound as if I was making mistakes More
by rdbernstein
Employees Worked With
Justin Loomer
May 14, 2017
Competitive Prices, Good Customer Service, Thorough Had a great experience at A1 (for the second time). Kevin, our sales person, was very thorough with explanations about different features / packages w Had a great experience at A1 (for the second time). Kevin, our sales person, was very thorough with explanations about different features / packages without being aggressive like typical sales folks. He put the options out there for us to decide and was happy to answer questions. Very pleasant demeanor, calm, and patient. Perhaps, most importantly, he was really professional ... and we certainly appreciated that. More
by baylor0205
Employees Worked With
May 11, 2017
Go to Hoffman Toyota I am not one to post negative reviews. However, in this case I must. Do NOT spend your time at A-1. Manager Gary dos Reis and I had been working on a I am not one to post negative reviews. However, in this case I must. Do NOT spend your time at A-1. Manager Gary dos Reis and I had been working on a deal (where the numbers were deceptive) and I wanted to get a 4Runner TRD pro. I was told by him Toyota wasn’t making them as his rep told them that. Well—I’ll save you the back and forth but it resulted in me calling corporate Toyota. They were furious and upset someone was lying to me. I ended up going to Hoffman Toyota and working with Julio Sosa and James Fappiano. Got WAY more on my trade, my 4Runner TRD pro, and a dealership that actually cares about the customer, not just their pocket. More
by scatznjazz
May 11, 2017
Great experience I bought a new Toyota Tacoma and was very pleased with my experience. There was no pressure and the truck was ready the same day. I bought a new Toyota Tacoma and was very pleased with my experience. There was no pressure and the truck was ready the same day. More
by New17tacoma
May 09, 2017
EVERY STAFF Person was.first rate as far as professionalism! Every person I encountered at A1 was helpful,polite, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I have previously owned more than one Prius. First time Every person I encountered at A1 was helpful,polite, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I have previously owned more than one Prius. First time experience at A1 was in April 2017. I purchased a Prius C ...first time with this model. I never felt pressured or annoyed by anyone on the staff at A1. A truly non-stressed auto buying experience. Thank you. Ms Pat Good listening skills of all staff. Much appreciated!! More
by 2001
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Not sure I know all the names of people that helped me...
May 08, 2017
Best Car Buying Experience For the last twenty-five years, I have been buying and leasing cars for myself, friends and family from brands such as Nissan, Mazda, Subaru and Infin For the last twenty-five years, I have been buying and leasing cars for myself, friends and family from brands such as Nissan, Mazda, Subaru and Infiniti. I have never bought a Toyota. Last week, I found a 2014 Toyota Venza Limited offered for sale as a Toyota certified pre-owned vehicle at A-1 Toyota. I called A-1 Toyota and made and appointment with salesman Kevin Wright. When my wife and I met Kevin, he explained the no haggle A-1 pricing policy, showed us the dealership and service center. I had researched the Venza and was looking to try it out. Kevin took me on a long test-drive. He did not hurry me our are me to a parking lot. There was no hard sell. We were shown all the service records on the car and its' Carfax. When Kevin and I were on our test-drive, we talked about the Venza and its' features. We were out nearly thirty minutes. By the end of the test-drive, I was sold. Next, we met with the finance man, Carlos Orozco, A-1 Toyota honored the A-1 Toyota internet price that I found for this same Venza on CarGurus. We then ran purchase option numbers. The next day, my wife, Kevin and I met with finance man Angel Ramos. Angel went over the numbers to purchase the Venza. The numbers had not changed from the quote we received from Carlos the day before. The entire experiencer was enjoyable and painless. When I took delivery of the Venza it had been professionally detailed at A-1's shop. I was given 21 days of free car washes at Splash (that I'm using) and lifetime synthetic oil changes (that I will use). The certified Venza was brought up to factory specs by A-1 Toyota. There is a great deal of value buying a certified car from A-1 Toyota. I have had my Venza back twice for new floor mats and to help me in using the navigation and phone sync systems. Both work well. Each time, Kevin and the service department took the time to assist me with my new crossover. I am a tough critic when it comes to buying a car. I will not do business with several auto dealers throughout Connecticut based on past experiences with them. I give the A-1 Toyota family, sales, service and finance, my highest recommendation. If you want to buy a Toyota, this is the place to go. More
by Arnie
