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A-1 Toyota
New Haven, CT
1,142 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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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 1,142 reviews
February 25, 2015
Excellent Experience I purchased a new Corolla in mid February after looking at other cars and other dealers. Mr Dadic was an exceptional salesman: low key, patient, arti I purchased a new Corolla in mid February after looking at other cars and other dealers. Mr Dadic was an exceptional salesman: low key, patient, articulate knowledgeable. He spent his time willingly and without pressuring me. He answered all my questions fully. At the final sale Mr Orozco carefully explained all the finance issues. He too was patient and unhurried. Now that I have had my car for nearly a week I have no complaints and would unqualifiedly recommend these two gentlemen and A1 Toyota. P.G. More
by brianphig
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco
February 22, 2015
Our Car repair experience My son is a college student in New Haven. He took the 2005 Toyota Camry (engine size 2.4, 74,000 miles) to this dealership because the car vibrates a My son is a college student in New Haven. He took the 2005 Toyota Camry (engine size 2.4, 74,000 miles) to this dealership because the car vibrates a little when driving above 60mph. The shop performed a multi point inspection and found that the root cause of the vibration was due to a bent rim. He was also told of several other problems and was given an estimate of over $3000 (70% is labor). The estimate was shown to him on a sheet of paper and no written itemized estimate was given to him. He naively agreed to the repair. When I learned of this matter the next morning, I asked him to call the shop right away to cancel the job. Unfortunately, the shop told him that the job was done already when he called. There was only 7.5 hours between the time that the car could be worked on and when the car was made available. But the invoice shows that 22.4 hours was charged. The largest item was the oil leak fix. This job alone clocked 18 hours. I consulted with a seasoned car expert who's been in the repair business for years. According to him, the standard amount of hours charged for an oil leak fix for this car model with this engine size is 7 hours. If the car was still under warranty, the manufacturer only pays 4.7 hours. I called the service manager and tried to get some insights as to why they would charge 18 hours. The answer is that they opted for doing a cleaner job and so it's more labor intensive. They not only removed the timing cover as usually is done, they also removed the subframe and so had to re-align the gear and the timing chain. He also told me that 2005 Toyota Camry is known for the oil leak problem at low mileage. There's no way for us to confirm if they did what they claimed that they did. My only question is whether they still would have opted for using this cleaner method if the car was still under warranty. The only thing that we are certain about is that our wallets got cleaned very well. More
by dw
February 20, 2015
The Toyota Family My recent trip to A-1 Toyota was like going to visit family - always an enjoyable experience for me. This visit was no exception. I was helped by Qu My recent trip to A-1 Toyota was like going to visit family - always an enjoyable experience for me. This visit was no exception. I was helped by Quincy Smith, who is exceptional at sensing what is good for me and working tirelessly to put me in a new lease that meets my needs. I walked away with the new, updated 2015 Corolla for the right amount of money and no hassle! Quincy has caused me to remain loyal to A-1 Toyota through several years of good deals in sales or leases. I will definitely return for another great deal when this lease is up! More
by MW
February 19, 2015
First Rate! Andrew Koenigsberg was exceptional through out the entire process. He is patient, professional, knowledgeable, hard working, diligent and truly liste Andrew Koenigsberg was exceptional through out the entire process. He is patient, professional, knowledgeable, hard working, diligent and truly listens to the type of experience I wanted. This was by far the best car buying experience that I ever had thanks to Andrew and the team at A-1. More
by Jedd
February 04, 2015
Overall good experience Dealership well-staffed and I liked the comprehensive approach they have to selling vehicles and maintaining you as part of their family. Quincy was v Dealership well-staffed and I liked the comprehensive approach they have to selling vehicles and maintaining you as part of their family. Quincy was very knowledgable about toyota franchise and cars in general, also willing to go above and beyond to get you what you want. Only negative remark I would have was how busy it was at the end of the month. More
by 1234lol
Employees Worked With
January 31, 2015
Very friendly very helpful They got me in the car I wanted with very little money down it was a very good experience I purchased the 2014 camry se They got me in the car I wanted with very little money down it was a very good experience I purchased the 2014 camry se More
by kimmysmalls
Employees Worked With
hatim yusef, Carlos Orozco
January 29, 2015
A-1 Toyota - Great Customer Service?? I have owned Toyota cars for many years so I can be a spokesperson based on reliability. On Saturday, January 16, 2015 I made a call and asked to spe I have owned Toyota cars for many years so I can be a spokesperson based on reliability. On Saturday, January 16, 2015 I made a call and asked to speak to someone who was professional and ready to listen to my request. Twenty minutes after I made the call I visited A-1 Toyota. I was greeted by Mohammad Durrani. After a few minutes I was calling him by his nickname "T". I went in to talk about my options and to probably purchase my leased car. Based on what I was told before I did not have any intention of purchasing a new vehicle. Mohammad listened to my concerns and told me I could leave in a NEW car. It happened the same day. I now own a 2015 Toyota Camry. This was initiated by Mohammad. He made the sales process easier than I could imagine. He was considerate, kind, patient, and attentive. Mohammed provided #1 in "Customer Service". He even called me after the purchase of my car to inquire about my new car experience and how I managed in the snowy weather. Thank you Mohammad continue with your warm, professional, thoughtful service. More
by Camry Lover 2015
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco
January 26, 2015
A surprising pleasure I visited the dealership to gather some information on a used vehicle and possibly take a test drive. I had ZERO intentions of buying anything or maki I visited the dealership to gather some information on a used vehicle and possibly take a test drive. I had ZERO intentions of buying anything or making any definite decision. The sales process at A1 is a very nice one but i would have to say that it was solely because of Mustafa that I ended up signing papers for a brand new Rav4 that night. I have never felt less pressured or more looked out for by a salesman. He put in a lot of effort to put a deal on the table I could not turn down. My wife and I love the vehicle and the experience. Class act! More
by Chris1218
January 20, 2015
Very Happy with my Toyota Venza Recently purchased a 2012 Toyota Venza at A-1. I have been going to A1 for servicing for years on another vehicle that I owned that wasn't even a Toyo Recently purchased a 2012 Toyota Venza at A-1. I have been going to A1 for servicing for years on another vehicle that I owned that wasn't even a Toyota. Very happy with all aspects of this dealership. Very professional, courteous and fair. I couldn't be happier! Dealt with Quincy who took care of our every need. Great Place!!!!! I will recommend them to anyone and everyone. More
by deb
January 19, 2015
A-1 Toyota: A Company I have trusted for 17 years In all of the years I have come to the A-1 Toyota Service Department, I have never had a problem. It is very hard to find reliable and trustworthy aut In all of the years I have come to the A-1 Toyota Service Department, I have never had a problem. It is very hard to find reliable and trustworthy auto service professionals. I appreciate all of the staff, including the hard labor workers who work behind the scenes. More
by LN
Employees Worked With
Anthony Horan
