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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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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 1,140 reviews
July 17, 2020
Simply put - you want to feel like your needs are being heard, and your purchase actually is cared about... work with Andy. He takes the time.and we had a truly positive experiemce with him.leading us thro heard, and your purchase actually is cared about... work with Andy. He takes the time.and we had a truly positive experiemce with him.leading us through our purchase. More
by J & R Dudics
Employees Worked With
Andrew Constantinou
July 13, 2020
We’ve been buying from A1 Toyota for 18 years and have bought nothing but quality cars from them. We recently leased for the first time and the A1 Toyota team were lots of help and made the process really bought nothing but quality cars from them. We recently leased for the first time and the A1 Toyota team were lots of help and made the process really straightforward. More
by Kenny A.
July 11, 2020
Andy worked hard to find me the vehicle that I wanted and was attentive as far as following up with me but not at all overbearing. Perfect balance. When I decided at the last minute to trade in my vehicle i was attentive as far as following up with me but not at all overbearing. Perfect balance. When I decided at the last minute to trade in my vehicle it was not an issue. I was working with another dealer as well but I chose A1 Toyota because they earned my trust and confidence. My only negative comment would be that the Vinmark fee was not explained until I questioned it during during the final financial processing but that is true of the other dealers that I had worked with as well. More
by Rav4
July 04, 2020
Great experience Andrew was awesome he was friendly and made process go smoothly Ed made finace seem effortless both are great employees dealership is lucky to ha Andrew was awesome he was friendly and made process go smoothly Ed made finace seem effortless both are great employees dealership is lucky to have them both More
by rdahlin
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Eddie was awesome as well , Andrew Constantinou
June 30, 2020
I had a great experience at A-1 Toyota. Andrew is a super nice guy, very personable and knowledgeable. He and the team there helped me buy the car I wanted and keep my payments in my budget. nice guy, very personable and knowledgeable. He and the team there helped me buy the car I wanted and keep my payments in my budget. More
by dani1115
Employees Worked With
Andrew Constantinou
June 27, 2020
This dealership stands to its name. Excellent customer service and a warm approach. Vehicle is A1 and I left completely satisfied and would recommend this company. service and a warm approach. Vehicle is A1 and I left completely satisfied and would recommend this company. More
by Dave wonder
June 26, 2020
I love this dealership I have bought three cars here, great experience every time. my salesman Andrew Constantiou was so great he was very knowledgeable and reassuring, a pleasure to deal with. great experience every time. my salesman Andrew Constantiou was so great he was very knowledgeable and reassuring, a pleasure to deal with. More
by Mmmongillo63
June 22, 2020
Fantastic service! Paul and Andy were great and very professional. Not only but they lead me to the exact product I desired and worked with me very amicably. professional. Not only but they lead me to the exact product I desired and worked with me very amicably. More
by Sean Reilly
June 12, 2020
Bad service experience This review is a follow up on an email I sent to Mr. Galardi (A-1 President) on 5/29. After having had my windshield broken during a routine service This review is a follow up on an email I sent to Mr. Galardi (A-1 President) on 5/29. After having had my windshield broken during a routine service appointment on 5/21, I made an appointment to have it replaced (for free) on 5/29. When I arrived on 5/29, I was told that the windshield hadn't arrived yet and wouldn't arrive until the following Tuesday (6/2). No one had called to tell me my appointment had been canceled. I returned on 6/2 and had the replacement windshield installed. A week later, my wife mentioned to me that she was getting a double image on our HUD. A-1 had installed the wrong windshield. The correct windshield was eventually installed on 6/15. I've given A-1 three stars because of my past, good experiences with A-1. However, it took three visits and one faulty repair before A-1 corrected the damage they did to my car. I've seldom experienced this level of carelessness and/or incompetence in a business and plan to take my business elsewhere in the future. I do want to commend Tariq Mohammad. My interaction with him has been very good. He's always kept his cool, even when I haven't always maintained mine. More
by wbp
Employees Worked With
Tariq Mohammad, service advisor
