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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
August 08, 2016
Wonderful customer service! Very professional.It was a great experience. No pressure.Efficient service.Would recommend to my friends.Amanda Botto was very thorough in her explana Very professional.It was a great experience. No pressure.Efficient service.Would recommend to my friends.Amanda Botto was very thorough in her explanation and answered all of my questions. More
by Vlad1
July 22, 2016
Need a MAYBE selection on recommending this service center. I said that I would NOT recommend A-1 Toyota to anyone only because of my more recent visits to the service department. I won't go into too much detai I said that I would NOT recommend A-1 Toyota to anyone only because of my more recent visits to the service department. I won't go into too much detail, but over the past year or two, I have been starting to feel like the service technicians do not do what they're supposed to. Numerous times I've said I've had leaky this or that and each time they said they did not find anything. I have probably spent close to $8,000 or more in the past 3 years on repairs and some of the same things are still happening. I don't know much about cars and have not found a mechanic that I completely trust yet so I feel like I'm at the mercy of what they tell me. I am honestly starting to think that A-1 Toyota only wants to take your money. Don't get me wrong... I've been going here for service for nearly 14 years and have always had a great experience with the service writers. I hope the service writers aren't trying to recommend things that need to be done when they really don't, because I HAVE brought my car to a local mechanic in the past to get a 2nd opinion and they have said that the recommended work from A-1 was NOT needed. And regarding this, one time when I brought my car there for service, the technician saw me (I won't divulge his name and I'm not sure if he works there anymore) and pulled me to the side and quietly told me that whatever was being recommended (I can't remember what it was anymore) to have done DIDN'T NEED TO BE DONE. I thanked him profusely and this was the beginning of me feeling suspicious of the business ethics at A-1. Back to my experiences with the service writers... I've had the pleasure to deal with Ken Perrone and Tom Opuszynski for most of the times. They were both excellent and I felt comfortable with them for the most part. More recently I've been working with Tariq Muhammed and so far HE IS AWESOME!!!!!! I could listen to him talk all day! I hope he is one of the honest, good guys with good ethics. Since I've just started having him as my service writer, it's too soon to tell. But like I said, so far it's been great working with him even though my car is having problems. Just once he never called back to let me know the status of my car... he gets a pass this time. Tariq... until I get to know you more, you get 4 stars. ;) P.S. I might be getting a new car soon. I'm a little bit on the fence about buying from A-1 because I'm nervous about having to deal with the service department down the road if things start happening to my car and I get the feeling that something fishy is going on. And this is sad to feel this way considering: 1. A-1's location is so convenient for me, and 2. I really have had such a great experience with the friendliness of most of the employees that I've had to work with... Carol, Melissa (who works in accounting now I think), Ken, Tom O., Tony, and now... TARIQ!!! These are the ONLY REASONS I want to come back. I feel a certain loyalty because of them... SOOO NICE to deal with. It's the actual service on my car that makes me question everything. More
by lia007
July 20, 2016
Very professional and courteous A-I has always been a top notch organization. I have just purchased my 4th car from them. I plan on using them again. Carlos, part of the Finance team A-I has always been a top notch organization. I have just purchased my 4th car from them. I plan on using them again. Carlos, part of the Finance team, was very helpful and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure working with Mitch, my sale rep. More
by jeffrey1963
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, Mitchell Burban
July 18, 2016
New Sequoia My experience as a long time customer was outstanding. This is my fourth lease through A1 and I continue to be very happy. Kevin Wright was a pleas My experience as a long time customer was outstanding. This is my fourth lease through A1 and I continue to be very happy. Kevin Wright was a pleasure to work with a d made every effort to make this experience seamless. More
by Mysequoia
July 18, 2016
17th car from A-1 This is the 17th car that we have leased or purchased from A-1 ..All our experiences have been really pleasurable....Our first lease back in 1999 was This is the 17th car that we have leased or purchased from A-1 ..All our experiences have been really pleasurable....Our first lease back in 1999 was a birthday and anniversary gift for my wife.. Since I could not drive two cars home, the salesman drove the new car and followed me home with another person following him to bring him back after the dealership had closed. Delivered as a surprise to my wife to my doorstep !!! How can we go anywhere else ????? Barbara & Al South More
by barbara & al south
July 18, 2016
Wonderful customer service! My husband and I went to the dealership just to look at the inventory of used Rav4's, but when our salesman Kevin Wright explained all of the perks th My husband and I went to the dealership just to look at the inventory of used Rav4's, but when our salesman Kevin Wright explained all of the perks that come with an A1 Toyota vehicle purchase, we knew we were getting a great deal. We bought a car that same day! More
by Carol E Galloway
Employees Worked With
July 16, 2016
David Bryce is the man!!! Excellent service, they got me the vehicle I wanted and had me out the door same day! Great experience with this place, and I absolutely love my new v Excellent service, they got me the vehicle I wanted and had me out the door same day! Great experience with this place, and I absolutely love my new vehicle! Thanks to all the staff that helped me get my certified Rav4!!! More
by SenorEsteban
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, David Bryce
July 15, 2016
Hassle Free I have never had such a positive experience in purchasing a car. Everyone was a joy to work with from the receptionists to Mitch and then closing with I have never had such a positive experience in purchasing a car. Everyone was a joy to work with from the receptionists to Mitch and then closing with Carlos. Thank you A1 Toyota. Charles and Robin Arntsen More
by Charlie Happy
July 15, 2016
The best dealer arund If you wanted the best service and experience ,and need buy a car.A1 Toyota is the dealer.Amanda is very nice person she take time and never boring wh If you wanted the best service and experience ,and need buy a car.A1 Toyota is the dealer.Amanda is very nice person she take time and never boring when took to my ,she listen and help my a lot. More
by Maileco82
Employees Worked With
Amanda Botto
July 15, 2016
Still extremely satisfied! This is my fourth time working with A-1 and I'm just as happy as I was the first time I came here. Brenton Fisher and Angel Ramos continue to be gre This is my fourth time working with A-1 and I'm just as happy as I was the first time I came here. Brenton Fisher and Angel Ramos continue to be great to work with! I highly recommend coming to this dealership when you need a vehicle. You won't be sorry! More
by Jendem
