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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
December 01, 2017
A no pressure buying experience, FINALLY!! I have given this 5 star review (which I do not give lightly) because it truly was a first class buying experience. I've purchased a LOT of trucks ove I have given this 5 star review (which I do not give lightly) because it truly was a first class buying experience. I've purchased a LOT of trucks over the years and I've had to deal with some real nitwits but not this time. I checked how A1 panned out, on yelp and google ratings and I liked what I saw. Sure there were a few DONT GO and a few that it sounds like the owner wrote, but I throw those out and look at the middle. They were great! So i went in to test drive never having SAT in a Tacoma before never mind driven one. Carlos was my UP and he treated me with respect and patience, as well as being a genuinely nice person. Did a couple of test drives, gave me his card and said come back anytime. I checked out a few other makes but kept being drawn back to the Tacoma. A good friend of mine sealed the deal when she said they always treated them well. So I pulled the trigger, worked with Carlos on the sale, where the numbers came up very good for the Tacoma and my trade. Agreed on the price, went back next day to get the truck, went through finance with Frank (and yes guys they are going to try and sell you stuff, it's a fact of life in the car business, just say no nicely and be done with it, as i did and it was fine) deal wrapped up, given a good truck and dealership tour by Carlos and off I went in my Magnetic grey metallic Tacoma. I told Frank, Armando and Carlos that this truly was a GREAT experience. I appreciate being treated like a human being instead of a mark, like a few dealerships still do. Great job A-1 it truly was "the right thing to do" More
by HFDBATTCHIEFRETIRED
November 30, 2017
EXCELLENT I have no complaints of the service I received yesterday. Quincy is just the best!! Very thorough, kind and answered every question and assured that m I have no complaints of the service I received yesterday. Quincy is just the best!! Very thorough, kind and answered every question and assured that my request and needs of a car were met. I would definitely go back and see him again for another purchase and will definitely recommend him to friends/family. Excellent service More
by LysetteRN
Employees Worked With
November 30, 2017
Comfortable Friendly people. Easy to talk to. Overall great experience. They were very detailed in their approach, explaining everything, and helping through the Friendly people. Easy to talk to. Overall great experience. They were very detailed in their approach, explaining everything, and helping through the process. Even helped hook up my phone to the car. More
by Jim
November 29, 2017
Unsatisfied Customer Inept sales person and manager. Quoted on wrong car and ended up paying more upon purchase/pickup for different vehicle to my surprise. Very unsatisfi Inept sales person and manager. Quoted on wrong car and ended up paying more upon purchase/pickup for different vehicle to my surprise. Very unsatisfied More
by Cvg107
November 26, 2017
Great experience With the no haggle sales approach and sales reps not working on commission, you don't feel pressured to buy. We went to the dealership to get an oil With the no haggle sales approach and sales reps not working on commission, you don't feel pressured to buy. We went to the dealership to get an oil change for our old car and ended up coming home with a brand new one the very same day! More
by Doreen D
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Carlos Orozco, Stanley Wheeler
November 26, 2017
We had an amazing experiece at A1 Toyota in new haven! We had such a great experience at A1 Toyota! The whole team was amazing, especially Sunny and Frank. Gary was such a huge help to us as well. I neve We had such a great experience at A1 Toyota! The whole team was amazing, especially Sunny and Frank. Gary was such a huge help to us as well. I never realized buying a new car could be so stress free. Would recommend this dealership to anyone and will definitely be returning! More
by ashley
November 25, 2017
Sales rep Amanda botto was amazing and so helpful in the trade and purchase of our new car. She was friendly knowledgeable and quick getting us in and out Amanda botto was amazing and so helpful in the trade and purchase of our new car. She was friendly knowledgeable and quick getting us in and out More
by Snookie
Employees Worked With
Amanda Botto
November 24, 2017
Poor experience Came here interested in test driving a car before deciding if I wanted to purchase. The salesman came across as very pushy. When I explained that I wa Came here interested in test driving a car before deciding if I wanted to purchase. The salesman came across as very pushy. When I explained that I wanted to test drive the car first before going through the financial details, he said, quite forcefully and rudely, that he was only here to sell cars. I don't understand why he gave us such a hard time right off the bat. I ended up taking my business to another Toyota dealer (even though it's farther away from where I live) where I was treated politely and fairly. I had no problem test driving the car I was interested in at the other dealer. Will never come back here. More
by carbuyer123
Employees Worked With
November 21, 2017
👍🏻👍🏻 Muy buen trato,te ofresen lo mejor y hace todo lo posible y lo q el tenga en manos para q sargas montado, muy contento con el trato q me dieron,Grax.. Muy buen trato,te ofresen lo mejor y hace todo lo posible y lo q el tenga en manos para q sargas montado, muy contento con el trato q me dieron,Grax... More
by Menor203
Employees Worked With
Carlos Rodriguez
November 15, 2017
Very Easy I thought that the people I dealt with John Alberta, Quincy Smith and Carlos Orozco were sincere and informative. They answered all my questions tha I thought that the people I dealt with John Alberta, Quincy Smith and Carlos Orozco were sincere and informative. They answered all my questions that I asked.. I would definitely tell others that A-1 Toyota is fair and square. More
by Tacoma
