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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.
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
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Showing 1,140 reviews
August 23, 2018
Toyota Rav4 A+ the team at A1 Toyota are great they take good care of there customers. Mr. Brenton Fisher was a great help. I will continue doing business with A1 A+ the team at A1 Toyota are great they take good care of there customers. Mr. Brenton Fisher was a great help. I will continue doing business with A1 in the future. More
by SophiaQ05
August 20, 2018
Highlander Lease Very easy to work with. Went above and beyond to finance the lease, and made the delivery of the vehicle very painless. Will definitely recommend work Very easy to work with. Went above and beyond to finance the lease, and made the delivery of the vehicle very painless. Will definitely recommend working with Emerson again! More
by BGC
August 20, 2018
Buying a new car. Since the minute I stepped in the door I got help right away, Good customer service! I got help from John Murphy he always so helpful when it came int Since the minute I stepped in the door I got help right away, Good customer service! I got help from John Murphy he always so helpful when it came into getting my self a new car at A-1 Toyota. He helped me through the whole process explain to me little by little about my new car. I left A-1 Toyota with the biggest smile ever! I would definitely recommend anyone to go to A-1 Toyota or John to get themselves a new car. So happy! More
by thaliaxo
Employees Worked With
John F Murphy
August 17, 2018
Exceptional, professional and polite Purchased numerous vehicles at A1. I always visit the competition but consistently receive the best price at A1. They know their product well and exe Purchased numerous vehicles at A1. I always visit the competition but consistently receive the best price at A1. They know their product well and exert no pressure on the buyer.....and they are negotiable. Fariz and Mustafa could not be any more personable and helpful. That's the reason I continue to return. Try A1, you won't regret the visit. More
by Tacoma guy#6
August 17, 2018
Many choices A-1 Toyota had a great selection of cars. Employees are knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive. Salesperson John Murphy was patient and eager to p A-1 Toyota had a great selection of cars. Employees are knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive. Salesperson John Murphy was patient and eager to please. I have used the service department in the past and have been pleased with the services provided. More
by Happy
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, John F Murphy
August 16, 2018
Great Business I am truly satisfied with Kevin wright customer service skills. I will gladly recommend friends and family to this dealership and Kevin wright. The bu I am truly satisfied with Kevin wright customer service skills. I will gladly recommend friends and family to this dealership and Kevin wright. The business will continue to grow and prosper. More
by Mont123mbae
Employees Worked With
August 15, 2018
Friendly helpful no nonsense From start to finish an enjoyable experience. A beautiful dealership inside and out. Car delivered in a beautiful bay nice with summer humidity, car w From start to finish an enjoyable experience. A beautiful dealership inside and out. Car delivered in a beautiful bay nice with summer humidity, car was flawless. More
by Mike
August 15, 2018
Great experience with Quincy and Carlos We were anxious to lease Toyota because we have been in the Ford family for years. Quincy was straightforward and knowledgeable about the vehicle. We We were anxious to lease Toyota because we have been in the Ford family for years. Quincy was straightforward and knowledgeable about the vehicle. We were so satisfied with experience and customer service that we put a deposit on the day we walked in! During the paperwork process, we met with Quincy again as well as Carlos, the business manager. This experience was the same as the first-no hassle or stress. Both were personable and established rapport with us (including my 7 year old daughter); it was easy to be comfortable. We are thrilled with our new RAV4 Hybrid and have already recommended our two neighbors to come in to see you all. You are doing it right A1 Toyota, keep it up and we will see you soon! More
by Melanie Tietjen
August 13, 2018
Overall positive experience with one minor flaw I wanted to give A-1 a 5 star rating. My sales rep was honest, low pressure and helpful in all regards, going beyond his responsibilities to make my p I wanted to give A-1 a 5 star rating. My sales rep was honest, low pressure and helpful in all regards, going beyond his responsibilities to make my purchase easy and pleasant. The only other employee I had significant contact with was the financial officer who was also honest, low pressure and a delight to work with. Other employees I had any contact with were friendly and helpful. The car was pre-owned and certified and was spotless on delivery after a short and straight forward transaction. It had every option that the dealer advertised and was priced at market value. The dealer has a policy of not negotiating car price, which I find acceptable, given that the price offered was appropriate for the car. I still had to mark the dealership down one star because when I got the car home, despite receiving a completely checked off checklist of things they had checked before delivering the car, I discovered that the windshield washer fluid was completely empty. This is not a major problem but it was an item that had been checked off and has to lead me to wonder what other items on that checklist might have been missed that I can't confirm as easily. Clearly, this may have been a simple oversight for a busy mechanic but it still represents a violation of trust. Particularly since it would have been trivial to find, since the windshield washer didn't work at all (totally empty of fluid). Despite that flaw, I would buy another car at this dealer and would recommend it highly to friends. More
by Jwisa
August 13, 2018
Great experience This is the 2nd vehicle I purchased from this dealership. Our salesman John Murphy went above and beyond to get me the car I wanted. Explaining every This is the 2nd vehicle I purchased from this dealership. Our salesman John Murphy went above and beyond to get me the car I wanted. Explaining everything I needed to know throughout the buying process. Pleasant and very knowledgeable. Great experience More
by Donna
Employees Worked With
Frank Mikolike, Jr., John F Murphy
