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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,140 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 1,140 reviews
September 09, 2015
Very Discouraging Experience A neighbor recommended A-1. I visited a couple of weeks ago to test drive a Camry. I enjoyed the comfort and handling of the Camry, yet I wasn’t sur A neighbor recommended A-1. I visited a couple of weeks ago to test drive a Camry. I enjoyed the comfort and handling of the Camry, yet I wasn’t sure about the color. The salesperson stated that he felt I didn't trust him as well as absolutely insisted I fill out the client information sheet. I politely told him that I knew him all of 10 minutes so of course I didn’t trust him. Regarding the client sheet, I gave my name, email and phone but did not want to provide my mailing address. He asked me at least 3 times during the sales presentation to write down my address because management really wants him to have all of that information. I told him that I felt forced to fill out the information, he just nodded it off with a smile, and I just gave an address. If that's a dealership policy, there should be latitude for the client to say, I'm not comfortable with sharing that information as of yet. In either case, they will get a copy of your license so I'm not sure what it matters. The salesperson courteously followed up a couple days afterward, and I told him I may bring a friend over to look at the Camry for a second opinion. I also mentioned that I would contact him if and when I was heading over. He called and sent me a text asking when I was coming, and I stated again that I would let him know ahead of time if I was coming. Within a few days, he again called twice and sent me another text. I felt hounded and decided that I didn't want to work with him any longer. Yesterday (9/8) he called me again, and this conversation is what put me over the top. He asked what car I bought. I mentioned that I bought an American car, and he said, "Why'd you buy that car"? I told him that I really liked the car and wanted to buy it. I like it, has great consumer report reviews, absolutely no recalls, and I like how it looks. He ended the conversation stating that since I bought that car, he will be seeing me again soon. I have never been so hounded, rudely treated, and talked down to in any interaction with a car salesman. There was another dealership in Waterbury that I chose not to buy from, and the salesperson was very professional on his follow-up and said he’d like to work with me in the future. That is an appropriate response. Although it appears very popular with clients and very professional, the experience just gave me a negative perception of A-1 unfortunately. However, since I bought an American car, based on what the salesman told me, my car will break down soon and I will be crawling back to them. Luckily, I visited a dealership in Wallingford, and the salesman was very respectful of me, loaned me the car for the night and allowed me to personally take it to my mechanic for inspection, and I ended up buying it from him Friday night before Labor Day. I will post a very positive review of this dealership soon. More
by LoveCars
Employees Worked With
September 09, 2015
Excellent Service! Staff were very knowledgable & attentive! I started at another Toyota dealer and I'm so happy we decided to come to A-1 Toyota! I appreciated that the staff was not pushy. I did not feel any I started at another Toyota dealer and I'm so happy we decided to come to A-1 Toyota! I appreciated that the staff was not pushy. I did not feel any pressure at all. They answered all of my questions and their patience was refreshing. I truly never had an interested in Toyota. I test drove several cars before test driving the Rav 4 and I instantly fell in love with her. I am very happy with my new car and I feel absolutely that I received a great deal for a great car. I also feel confident that the staff at A-1 Toyota will be there for me if I ever have any issues, questions or concerns about my new car. More
by lisy1972
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Carlos Orozco, Shamus Rahman
September 03, 2015
truly exceptional review everything with my lease experience at A1 Toyota was truly exceptional from quincy smith in sales to carlos in financing. i would highly recommend sta everything with my lease experience at A1 Toyota was truly exceptional from quincy smith in sales to carlos in financing. i would highly recommend starting with quincy the A1 sales person to anyone. More
by newcar
September 02, 2015
Why I returned to A1 I bought 2004 Hilander from A1 and at the 184,000 mark, my service writer, Tony Horan, gently wondered if it was time to consider a new vehicle. At th I bought 2004 Hilander from A1 and at the 184,000 mark, my service writer, Tony Horan, gently wondered if it was time to consider a new vehicle. At that time I was facing a big service bill, Becky gave me a loner of a RAV4. I was hooked. After that I was introduced to Quincy Smith and off we went. Quincy didn't have to sell me on the RAV4,, but he did walk me through the purchasing process. He also took a lot of time to introduce me to the myriad features of the operation of the vehicle. To be perfectly clear, Tony Horan is the reason I purchased at A1 (although there is another Toyota dealership closer to my home) he then connected me to Quincy, who then helped with the purchase. A1 has built a great team. Thank you. More
by Jerry43
Employees Worked With
Carlos, Angel
August 30, 2015
Great Car Dealership I would liked to visit A-1 Toyota again. They are the best car dealership, I was there three years ago and I dealt with Eddie Oliveras he is such a g I would liked to visit A-1 Toyota again. They are the best car dealership, I was there three years ago and I dealt with Eddie Oliveras he is such a great salesperson and sold me a 2012 Toyota Yaris what a great small vehicle. Paul Wright is also such a great person who knows everything about selling cars. Thank you A-1 Toyota!!!!!! More
by Speedy
August 29, 2015
I leased a car with A1 and we just purchased a car with A1 Everyone at A1 was great to work with! We live less than 2 minutes from another Toyota dealer but they are impossible to deal with! We are lifetime " Everyone at A1 was great to work with! We live less than 2 minutes from another Toyota dealer but they are impossible to deal with! We are lifetime "members" of A1 and will continue to purchase / lease from them for years to come! Sunny and Angel were great to work with! More
by Ralph_N
Employees Worked With
Sunny Dhawan, Angel Ramos
August 29, 2015
4th purchase at A1 Toyota I've had a great experience every single time I purchased my car. I always deal with Quincy Smith. He is professional, extremely nice and always goes I've had a great experience every single time I purchased my car. I always deal with Quincy Smith. He is professional, extremely nice and always goes above and beyond in what he does. Carlos did my paperwork. He was very pleasant and walked me through everything I needed to sign. Very knowledgeable. More
by Monikapl26
August 27, 2015
My First Leased Car !! The staff are amazing ! They know exactly what you need and work hard to get the job done !! I enjoyed meeting with Quincy , he made the ride smooth a The staff are amazing ! They know exactly what you need and work hard to get the job done !! I enjoyed meeting with Quincy , he made the ride smooth and enjoyable ! More
by hunter72
August 26, 2015
A pleasant car buying experience!! My 91yo grandfather recently purchased his 5th Toyota Camry from A-1 Toyota & although he had never bought them from this dear before he knew exactly My 91yo grandfather recently purchased his 5th Toyota Camry from A-1 Toyota & although he had never bought them from this dear before he knew exactly what he wanted & having Quincy as a salesman made it so quick & easy to make the purchase! A smooth process from the start! Thank you to all the staff at A-1 Toyota for making his last new(er) car purchase a pleasure! He is like a kid in a candy store! THANK YOU ALL :-) More
by teammarti3
August 21, 2015
Buyin a car This is the first time I bought a car by my self. I found the sale person very nice I told him what I was looking fo. He should me two car,i bought t This is the first time I bought a car by my self. I found the sale person very nice I told him what I was looking fo. He should me two car,i bought the second one he show me. I then saw Paul wright who was also very nice an very helpful answered all my questions. I would recommend any of my friends to A1 Toyota.. More
by Harriett
