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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
February 13, 2019
A1 = Excellent Service I was out just looking to see what kind of used cars A1 Toyota had. When I found a car I was interested in l was greeted by a godly sales representati I was out just looking to see what kind of used cars A1 Toyota had. When I found a car I was interested in l was greeted by a godly sales representative who had a great smile and was very friendly. I asked him what I need to do next to inquire about the car. We talked for a while he insisted I don’t have to rush ,but his energy/spirit just kept me feeling like this is the time to get the car i want. This is not my first car. I had leased from them for about 12 years and now I’m ready to buy even though it’s a 2016 I really came out on top. And the financial part went just as great because when people don’t pressure you into buying a car it works out best for everyone. If you want GREAT SERVICE GO TO A1 Toyota PLUS FREE OIL CHANGES NOBODY CAN BEAT THAT. I LOVE ?? A1 TOYOTAs COURTESY AND SERVICES. THANKS JOHN M. & KEVIN W. IN SALES, & PAUL W IN FINANCE & SUNNY. More
by Wali.2019
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
John F Murphy
February 12, 2019
Epic Sales Dept FAIL It is a crying shame the Sales Dept gave such disturbingly poor service to 2 loyal Toyota customers with high credit scores. We would never recommend It is a crying shame the Sales Dept gave such disturbingly poor service to 2 loyal Toyota customers with high credit scores. We would never recommend A-1 Toyota to anyone. In fact, we strongly warn you not to purchase there. They kept us there for over 3 hours waiting for our monthly rate for a vehicle that was nearly $200 over our declared budget, pushing us through the purchasing process for a vehicle we never said we wanted. We honestly started looking for video cameras and joking we must be on the TV show Boiling Points or Punk'd. They say they pride themselves in customer service, and work on salary not commission, but it made no difference as they used the same stereotypical strategies to wear down car dealership customers. I wish there was a way to give them no stars at all in this rating. More
by Toyotafan
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Geoffrey Dahill
February 12, 2019
A very nice stress free experience. I went to several dealerships looking to lease a SUV. At A-1 Toyota my search ended. Amjad Alhajjali made my experience there very pleasant. He found I went to several dealerships looking to lease a SUV. At A-1 Toyota my search ended. Amjad Alhajjali made my experience there very pleasant. He found the right vehicle for me at the right price. More
by Rick51
February 10, 2019
It was stress free I chose the car I wanted and got what I chose, the employees I dealt with were informative and friendly. I was very satisfied had fun too. I chose the car I wanted and got what I chose, the employees I dealt with were informative and friendly. I was very satisfied had fun too. More
by Ngondo
February 10, 2019
Amazing Went to three different dealers on the same day and the experience was exhausting. When we got to A1 Toyota we were greeted and pointed in the right d Went to three different dealers on the same day and the experience was exhausting. When we got to A1 Toyota we were greeted and pointed in the right direction immediately. Amjad Alhajjali came over to us and ask how can he help our family because we were looking for a car for my son. I told him what I seen on the internet and he came right back with the keys. We went for a test drive then did some paperwork to hold the car because we were going to check out another dealership for a different car. They didn’t even hassle us about doing that they said it was a great idea. I was very impressed by this needless to say after seeing the other car my son chose the Toyota because of the wonderful experience we had. We call the back and Amjad Alhajjali got Frank Nieves to get started on the financing by the time we got back it was done just had to sign everything and leave it was the best time I ever had purchasing a car. Thanks A1 Toyota More
by Josepe321
February 09, 2019
very responsive and easy to work with - found the car I was looking for in short time, straightforward deal. Took the time to make sure I was familiar with the car's bells and whistles! - found the car I was looking for in short time, straightforward deal. Took the time to make sure I was familiar with the car's bells and whistles! More
by kennyf
February 09, 2019
Easy in easy out. Overall from picking the vehicle I wanted was easy and their team contacting was a little too much but they meant well and overall satisfaction of my Overall from picking the vehicle I wanted was easy and their team contacting was a little too much but they meant well and overall satisfaction of my purchase. More
by Joao
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Frank Mikolike, Jr.
February 08, 2019
Service My dealings with Carlos were great and very helpfull.He was very helpfull even after sales were complete.Frank in finance was also very helpful. Over My dealings with Carlos were great and very helpfull.He was very helpfull even after sales were complete.Frank in finance was also very helpful. Over all great experience. More
by KXP62102
February 03, 2019
An absolute amazing experience. I had a wonderful time. From the moment I walked in until I left. The sales man was very kind and very friendly. I would give him a solid ten out of t I had a wonderful time. From the moment I walked in until I left. The sales man was very kind and very friendly. I would give him a solid ten out of ten. More
by Diana12334
February 02, 2019
Definitely recommended! I didn't realize how spectacular A-1 Toyota was until I visited a couple of other dealerships. Their Certified Toyota Program is top-notch and they go I didn't realize how spectacular A-1 Toyota was until I visited a couple of other dealerships. Their Certified Toyota Program is top-notch and they go the extra mile to make sure each car is A-1 quality. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone! More
by LoriD
