Dealer Reviews
Service Reviews
Cars for Sale
Dealer Log In
All Salespeople
Sales Department
A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,147 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
Read More
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
Filter Reviews by Keyword
By Type
Showing 1,147 reviews
July 01, 2025
Gabriel Santana, Jesus, and Anabela were all phenomenal! They were very welcoming, friendly, and courteous and made sure I had all my questions answered throughout the process! They were very welcoming, friendly, and courteous and made sure I had all my questions answered throughout the process! More
by ERROL54
Employees Worked With
ANABELA, GABRIEL AND JESUS
July 01, 2025
Driving a new Tacoma is not an extension of my personality, but it has done wonders to my confidence driving in our current traffic reality. 3 young professionals made my B Day better, 1st contac personality, but it has done wonders to my confidence driving in our current traffic reality. 3 young professionals made my B Day better, 1st contact was Nadia , then Lyron , & ending with Anna Bella to explain and complete the lease documents. My parting comment = All 3 of you are worth more than you have ever been told !!! More
by LARRY.BRUNER
Employees Worked With
ANABELA, LYRON AND NADIA
June 21, 2025
Excellent service. Zack was amazing from the beginning, David is amazing seller and person I recommend with no doubts and Anabela she was super nice and friendly and al Zack was amazing from the beginning, David is amazing seller and person I recommend with no doubts and Anabela she was super nice and friendly and all of then work with so much expertise. Highly recommended this dealership. More
by DONATO DI LORENZO
Employees Worked With
ANABELA, ZAK AND DAVID MARTIN
May 31, 2025
I had a fantastic time at Toyota today. Anabela, Justin and Roberto were very professional and patient. They took the time to explain everything clearly. I really appreciate doing business Anabela, Justin and Roberto were very professional and patient. They took the time to explain everything clearly. I really appreciate doing business with Toyota. More
by ELAINE BAILEY
Employees Worked With
ANABELA, JUSTIN AND ROBERTO
January 16, 2025
In over 50 years of buying cars A1 hands done is the BEST, most transparent dealership I have every used. Don't waste your time @ WLFD Toyota or others. They are a NO B.S operation, NOT the old school BEST, most transparent dealership I have every used. Don't waste your time @ WLFD Toyota or others. They are a NO B.S operation, NOT the old school way of buying a car. I would absolutely recommend A1. More
by J.Coughlin
December 30, 2024
I am extremely disappointed with the service I received during my recent experience at A1. Not only was I required to pay a $1000 negotiable (CT Law) fee for dealer "dues" (it is a very much non-negotiable during my recent experience at A1. Not only was I required to pay a $1000 negotiable (CT Law) fee for dealer "dues" (it is a very much non-negotiable fee at A1) but the experience as a whole was the opposite of what I wanted or have previously experienced. I would be happy to pay for any services that a fee would cover but the overall service provided was far below the standard without any clear justification or value in return. Summary of my experience: No opportunity to inspect the car prior to signing: I was required to sign before I had even seen or fully inspected the vehicle, which left me feeling rushed and pressured into making a decision without the chance to properly evaluate the car. It ended up that they didn't fully detail the front right side of the new car. Plates not ready: On the agreed-upon pick-up date, two and a half months after paying $500 to hold the car for me, the license plates for my car were not ready, causing unnecessary delays and inconvenience. Per the sales manager, " ... it was not our fault that your license was never switched over to CT." ... A week and a half later, a salesman shows up 3 hours late with the plates, but without any screws to affix the plates to my car. He ended up putting the back plate on with two screws, leaving me unable to drive the car. Then, after getting the screws at Home Depot at 8pm to ensure I can make it to work the next day, we realized we needed plate frames, that we did not have nor were told were needed. Unprofessional communication: The salesman assigned to me texted me in a manner that was both unprofessional and inappropriate, addressing me as if we were close friends rather than in a formal business transaction. This added to the overall lack of professionalism displayed during the process, and he ended up ghosting me and didn't show up the day I got the car. Thee unapologetic, dismissive, and ego-driven attitude among staff and managers was a little much in addition to the lack of concern for my dissatisfaction. Incomplete detailing: I noticed that the front right side had not been detailed properly, unlike the rest of the car, but this was after signing and being charged. This oversight further compounded my frustration. More
by hannah.holden626
February 01, 2024
A great establishment and very friendly staff. My third car from them and it’s always a pleasure to be there. Abdul, Yahia, Hatim, Mostafa, Gary and Eddie are very professional and they always mak My third car from them and it’s always a pleasure to be there. Abdul, Yahia, Hatim, Mostafa, Gary and Eddie are very professional and they always make my experience hassle free. I’ve referred so many friends to A1 Toyota and they’re all happy with their experience. More
by Youness
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Abdul Fakih
August 24, 2023
Sunny is the best! My 3rd Camry from A-1 and second with Sunny's assistance. My 3rd Camry from A-1 and second with Sunny's assistance. More
by Hapbee
Employees Worked With
