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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 20, 2018
Greatest leasing experience by far. Amjad made my test drive and leasing decision painless and easy. Everyone was very friendly and easy to work with. I will be a repeat customer at A1! Amjad made my test drive and leasing decision painless and easy. Everyone was very friendly and easy to work with. I will be a repeat customer at A1! More
by Candicel128
July 18, 2018
Prompt & Personable I came into the dealership not expected to purchase a vehicle. Kyle left his lunch hour to come help me. Never owning a Toyota before, I told him what I came into the dealership not expected to purchase a vehicle. Kyle left his lunch hour to come help me. Never owning a Toyota before, I told him what I was looking for and led me to the perfect vehicle. Very professional and honest about everything. Would definitely recommend A-1 to anyone! More
by Jillian710
Employees Worked With
July 18, 2018
A-1 Toyota Camry Buying Experience! Celebrating a successful shopping and purchasing experience at an A-1 Toyota dealership! Quincy Smith was so professional and informative and AUTHENT Celebrating a successful shopping and purchasing experience at an A-1 Toyota dealership! Quincy Smith was so professional and informative and AUTHENTIC! Fair. Fast. Simple. Those words epitomize the entire process! More
by Camry Gal
July 17, 2018
Another sale The salesmen here are very nice and helpful. We've been coming back to this dealership for several years now, amd we always get treated great. The salesmen here are very nice and helpful. We've been coming back to this dealership for several years now, amd we always get treated great. More
by Bear324
July 17, 2018
Superior Car Buying Experience...Love the Staff In a world of "no customer service" seemingly at every turn, it was such a great experience to shop at A-1 Toyota and be treated respectfully by my sa In a world of "no customer service" seemingly at every turn, it was such a great experience to shop at A-1 Toyota and be treated respectfully by my sales professional. I have been a Chevy owner for a long time. My decision to convert and invest in a Toyota was not an easy sell; my salesman was very patient. I am really impressed with and love my Tundra. Every step of the process was pleasant; no "power selling" tactics here! Instead, they went out of their way to answer my questions and make me feel like part of the family they are proud of. It is a superior dealership with superior people...I am happy to have found a vehicle, dealership and service team that I can trust. I look forward to a long future with A-1 Toyota! More
by qhearts132
July 14, 2018
Great salesman Great experience at a1 Toyota from the price of the vehicle to the salesperson and atmosphere they were very concerned that they met all my needs in a Great experience at a1 Toyota from the price of the vehicle to the salesperson and atmosphere they were very concerned that they met all my needs in a timely manner More
by JOMORENO
Employees Worked With
July 14, 2018
Great experience at A1 Toyota! They are Customer Service peo The sales mgr and sales rep were very helpful in making me feel at ease and assiting me in purchasing decision.The financial mgr played a key role in The sales mgr and sales rep were very helpful in making me feel at ease and assiting me in purchasing decision.The financial mgr played a key role in showing me that I could afford the car that I wanted. The sales rep was very helpful in introducing me to the new car dynamics and setting me up in the new car. Thank you Carlos R, F. Nieves and A. Muniz!0 More
by Trich2018
July 13, 2018
overall a pleasant, pressure free experience. I was very pleased with the sales agent/s who assisted me. Emily Spaulding & Frank Mikolike were both professional, efficient and courteous in every w I was very pleased with the sales agent/s who assisted me. Emily Spaulding & Frank Mikolike were both professional, efficient and courteous in every way. More
by pinky234
July 12, 2018
Quincy made this a GREAT experience! I started at a different Toyota dealership and was VERY disappointed. Then I came to A-1 off of a referral. What a difference!! Quincy made my experi I started at a different Toyota dealership and was VERY disappointed. Then I came to A-1 off of a referral. What a difference!! Quincy made my experience fun and easy - he took time to answer ALL my questions, which were a lot!! I would recommend anyone looking for a car to start here and save yourself the hassle. I dont normally leave reviews but these folks went above and beyond to accommodate me and were honest and wanted to help. Great business, great people! Thank you sincerely to Frank Crisafi, Quincy smith and Paul Wright!! More
by Sgestay
July 10, 2018
New buyer Mr Amjad and Gary really helped me a lot in getting into a car. I’ve had many bad experiences in the past but coming at a-1 Toyota really made me a ha Mr Amjad and Gary really helped me a lot in getting into a car. I’ve had many bad experiences in the past but coming at a-1 Toyota really made me a happy and satisfied customer. I recommend a-1 Toyota to family, friends and to anyone that is looking for a safe, reliable and nice car. Toyota is the best!!! More
by Elliott30
