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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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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
February 22, 2022
We picked up our new Sienna from A1 Toyota yesterday. I can’t say enough about the positive buying experience we had. We worked with Gary and Kevin in the sales process and Paul in the finance process. I can’t say enough about the positive buying experience we had. We worked with Gary and Kevin in the sales process and Paul in the finance process. The whole process was stress free and completely non invasive. Paul found us an excellent interest rate on our loan, and Kevin gave us a very thorough tutorial on our van, especially the safety and roadside maintenance features (spare tire, tools, etc.). When it’s time for our next vehicle, we’ll look at A1 first. More
by Morrisjc2
February 17, 2022
Great dealership to do buisness with. Gerry and kevin were excellent. Very friendly and helpful highly recommend a1 toyota and certainly recommend the two gentleman. Will go back to a1 in Gerry and kevin were excellent. Very friendly and helpful highly recommend a1 toyota and certainly recommend the two gentleman. Will go back to a1 in the future and will recommend to friends and family More
by John
February 16, 2022
I am so pleased with my service and care at my dealership. They are amazing! dealership. They are amazing! More
by joelrodriguez717
Employees Worked With
December 13, 2021
The service crew is the worst in the world So rude they The service crew is the worst in the world So rude they should be trained or better saying, educated to Stay away from frustration , they don’t lik The service crew is the worst in the world So rude they should be trained or better saying, educated to Stay away from frustration , they don’t like their job. If you’re getting and not say a word , they will never ask you if you need any help, they will never talk to you , not even for good morning or good afternoon . Miserable people . Was my first and last time . I promise you you will leave that place depressed. More
by fhconst
Employees Worked With
Left service desk
November 24, 2021
We have bought multiple cars from A1 Toyota so of course we think it is a very good dealership. We didn't need to wait long for the new car we were looking for which was a pleasant surprise. Best of all w we think it is a very good dealership. We didn't need to wait long for the new car we were looking for which was a pleasant surprise. Best of all was Quincy Smith who was extremely well-informed - could answer any question - or if he needed to check on something, he checked. Quincy really knew the car inside and out, and is an outstanding instructor in the transition from analog to digital . We also enjoyed being with him during the test drives and hope we will see him next time around. More
by marian.chertow
November 10, 2021
From my first touch encounter I would describe the experience as attentive, responsive, professional and communicative especially with the supply chain issues being experienced nationally. The deliver experience as attentive, responsive, professional and communicative especially with the supply chain issues being experienced nationally. The delivery was a pleasure and the extraordinary teamwork at A1 sets an example that exceeded my expectations. A normally stressful experience leasing an automobile was a pleasure right down to the business transaction. Love my Toyota 2022 Highlander. More
by dave136
October 11, 2021
Salesman Kevin Wright was wonderful. However, unhappy with management - ordered a new car from factory, waited almost 2 months, when it arrived it took several days to finalize the loan from my bank, and with management - ordered a new car from factory, waited almost 2 months, when it arrived it took several days to finalize the loan from my bank, and dealership didn't want to wait those several days - said they would sell my vehicle to someone else. I had to pull strings with the bank to make it happen that fast, and almost couldn't pull it off but I did. That left a very bad taste in my mouth. More
by michael.digiovanna
Employees Worked With
October 08, 2021
Great service and knowledgeable staff. Quincy was outstanding and made the process straightforward and efficient outstanding and made the process straightforward and efficient More
by gabriel.acevedo
October 06, 2021
Puts profits above people,, I went into the dealership on Saturday to test ride a 2017 Toyota Corolla.. I did a walk around of the car before test riding it and I noticed that the rear driver side tire,, th Saturday to test ride a 2017 Toyota Corolla.. I did a walk around of the car before test riding it and I noticed that the rear driver side tire,, the belt was showing through the rubber, I voice my concerns to the sales person who told me take it for a test drive and if you like the car you can bring your concerns to the manager, while driving the car the light was on on the dashboard letting me know the car was unbalanced, also the front end was shaking, when we got back to the dealership I told the salesman I was passing on the car. Sunny came out, he introduced himself to me and when I voice my concerns about the front end shaking his response was that's the CVT transmission all cars with CVT transmissions the front end shakes, when I showed him the tire with the belt showing through he told me that's not it it's the transmission, at that point I turned to leave,, as I was walking across the parking lot he was still yelling at ma'am it's the CVT transmission, Sunny appeared to have his own agenda and wasn't listening to anything that was being said,,, there was no dialogue with Sunny,, and my concerns about the belt coming through the tire and the rubber being worn away ,, those concerns were not being addressed,, I felt like I was being bullied, that was the worst experience I have ever had at a car dealership. More
by Car Shopper
Employees Worked With
