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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
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
August 13, 2018
Great service Great staff they care about your time they got me in my truck and on my way home in a flash. Frank crisafi was also such a big help if you have any qu Great staff they care about your time they got me in my truck and on my way home in a flash. Frank crisafi was also such a big help if you have any questions about any car on the lot frank your guy More
by Nick6299
Employees Worked With
August 13, 2018
Amazing experience Working with A1 was a great experience. I came in looking for my first car and Amjad worked wonders. He found a car that was in my budget and still ra Working with A1 was a great experience. I came in looking for my first car and Amjad worked wonders. He found a car that was in my budget and still ran well. I never felt any pressure and everyone was helpful from the beginning to end. I'll be sure to recommend them to anyone that is looking for a great car buying experience. More
by Cboppert1
August 12, 2018
purchase of a new vehicle Emerson Macavinta and Paul Wright are excellent and have both tremendously helped me during this purchase. Emerson assisted me not just in making inte Emerson Macavinta and Paul Wright are excellent and have both tremendously helped me during this purchase. Emerson assisted me not just in making intelligent decision during this purchase but also with the process of trading in my previous vehicle. Paul provided significant support in terms of financial transactions. Overall, it was a great experience and definitely highly recommendable. More
by joy
August 09, 2018
Awesome Had great car shopping experience, they extremely helpful. Went looking for a pick up for my business, that had great gas mileage & I got just that Had great car shopping experience, they extremely helpful. Went looking for a pick up for my business, that had great gas mileage & I got just that More
by Mitchandmitchllc
August 08, 2018
Toyota Tacoma V6 Sport Great experience, Kevin spent time going over everything to make sure we go the car we were looking for. I had lost the title to my trade in and Fran Great experience, Kevin spent time going over everything to make sure we go the car we were looking for. I had lost the title to my trade in and Frank helped me resolve it. More
by Inge1865
August 06, 2018
very good service and very professional. everyone was very eager to help. everyone was very respectful .Quincy Smith was very helpful, professional, and very service and very professional. everyone was very eager to help. everyone was very respectful .Quincy Smith was very helpful, professional, and very courteous. More
by rudym
Employees Worked With
August 01, 2018
Overall good Long time customer. Overall good service Not completely informed about the options although by the time we were at the point of buying, we felt ru Long time customer. Overall good service Not completely informed about the options although by the time we were at the point of buying, we felt rushed because it was near the end of the day and we had been there since mid-day More
by airgan65
July 31, 2018
Enjoyed my car shopping experience! I really enjoyed getting my new car (a RAV-4). Quincy and everyone who worked at the dealership were extremely helpful and talked me through the proc I really enjoyed getting my new car (a RAV-4). Quincy and everyone who worked at the dealership were extremely helpful and talked me through the process and got me a great deal. They were not pushy at all and I left the dealership with my new car and felt great about it. More
by Katie Gibbons
Employees Worked With
