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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
May 14, 2018
Great Service Service was great. All of our questions were answered in the most professional way. We purchased a great car that our family loved, fit our needs and Service was great. All of our questions were answered in the most professional way. We purchased a great car that our family loved, fit our needs and met our criteria. Mr. Dadic was very kind and willing to help us find our perfect car. He was a great help and overall a great employee. More
by Mike2006
Employees Worked With
May 11, 2018
Information. Stopped by to get information about a car & Mr. Casul did an awesome job at answering all the questions I had,’I will definitely come back to get a ca Stopped by to get information about a car & Mr. Casul did an awesome job at answering all the questions I had,’I will definitely come back to get a car soon. More
by Zescalona
Employees Worked With
Carlos Casul
May 10, 2018
Easy as 1,2,3 I was attached to my old beat up vehicle and dreaded the idea of the car buying process. I had thoughts of the sales pitch and pressure to spend mone I was attached to my old beat up vehicle and dreaded the idea of the car buying process. I had thoughts of the sales pitch and pressure to spend money I didn’t have. This was proved to be totally false. Eddie put me at ease and made the process smooth. I was totally comfortable and had a pleasant, pressure free experience. I love my new ride and would go back in a heartbeat if I had it to do all over again. More
by Kbravtoy
May 09, 2018
Wonderful Stressfree Experience!!! I live in New York and went all the way to CT to buy my van after doing my research. I bought a preowned Toyota Sienna and Al Salazar was my salesman. I live in New York and went all the way to CT to buy my van after doing my research. I bought a preowned Toyota Sienna and Al Salazar was my salesman. He was extremely helpful, took his time to guide me and help me. Did NOT rush me at all, and best of all he is BILINGUAL, since my English is not that great. I will definitely recommend this Dealership and Al Salazar, he was fantastic!!! Knew everything about Toyota and was kind, calm and collected. I also want to thank, Carlos Orozco from Finance. He helped me a lot with my loan and interest rates. Excellent place to but a car. I am coming with my sister next week, since she needs a new Sienna. More
by Rivera1967
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, Al Salazar
May 05, 2018
Overall good experience Al was friendly and responsive to my questions and with him and the manager I ended up getting a great deal on a RAV4 Hybrid. Al was friendly and responsive to my questions and with him and the manager I ended up getting a great deal on a RAV4 Hybrid. More
by Db2472
Employees Worked With
Al Salazar
May 05, 2018
Excellent Dealership and Salesman! I just leased my first 2018 Toyota Camry LE from this dealership. I loved the no hazzle one price system and all the free services they offer. Al Sala I just leased my first 2018 Toyota Camry LE from this dealership. I loved the no hazzle one price system and all the free services they offer. Al Salazar was my salesman. He was the best salesman I ever had. He was a true proffesional. He was kind,knowledgeable, and did not push me at all. He actually guided me and made this experience very smooth. He spoke Spanish, which was a plus for me. I will definitely recommend this dealership, specially Al to all my friends and family. I actually have three current friends looking for a car, and they all wil come to see Al. He was more than my sales guy, we became Excellent friends! More
by Franklin,polanco123
Employees Worked With
Al Salazar
May 05, 2018
Respectful, Efficient, and Professional We searched all over the state to find the best dealership, and the exact car that we wanted. Because of a friend’s recommendation, I called A-1 Toyo We searched all over the state to find the best dealership, and the exact car that we wanted. Because of a friend’s recommendation, I called A-1 Toyota. The telephone representative told me that they could get the car that I wanted within a few days. He also seemed the most honest and knowledgeable of all that I previously had spoken with. I thought overnight. I had been researching for two weeks. The next day the entire family came with me to the dealership, and everyone was impressed with the facility, the mannerliness, and the professionalism of the dealership. Al Salazar was the best. More
by The Principal
May 05, 2018
Made. Car buying Painless Great staff. Very friendly no pressure to buy. The entire process was easy. We went in after an uncomfortable experience at another toyota. We just we Great staff. Very friendly no pressure to buy. The entire process was easy. We went in after an uncomfortable experience at another toyota. We just went for information and 4 hours later drove out in a new car! More
by Happycustomer
May 04, 2018
Professional and personable Kyle made the experience of buying a new car a pleasure. He went above and beyond my expectations, even replying to me in the evening after hours. He Kyle made the experience of buying a new car a pleasure. He went above and beyond my expectations, even replying to me in the evening after hours. He did everything possible to make sure that I was comfortable with the process and totally satisfied. More
by Happy
Employees Worked With
May 02, 2018
Review I purchased a royal blue 2016 Toyota Tacoma on 4/28/2018, Al Salazar was great and provided us with great customer service would definetly recommend t I purchased a royal blue 2016 Toyota Tacoma on 4/28/2018, Al Salazar was great and provided us with great customer service would definetly recommend this dealership. More
by Ds92787
Employees Worked With
Al Salazar
