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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
April 06, 2021
Quincy was fantastic, wonderful to work with and very knowledgeable. He had the utmost patience and gave us all the help we needed to understand the technology. He was available and accommodating.. The knowledgeable. He had the utmost patience and gave us all the help we needed to understand the technology. He was available and accommodating.. The process was pressure free. More
by larry
Employees Worked With
April 05, 2021
Quincy was wonderful to work and very accomodating. He had lots of patience with me during the whole process. As an extra courtesy he delivered the car to my house and helped me understand the inside me had lots of patience with me during the whole process. As an extra courtesy he delivered the car to my house and helped me understand the inside mechanics of the car. It was a wonderful experience! More
by Maria.Cornacchia
April 04, 2021
Had a blessed time with Mr. Wright. Explain everything that would happen, in order for my family to purchase a vehicle. Gave good advice about warranty purchase. that would happen, in order for my family to purchase a vehicle. Gave good advice about warranty purchase. More
by rob93485
Employees Worked With
March 31, 2021
The lease was up on a company vehicle we decided to get a Highlander Hybrid at A-1. It was a fantastic experience! Everyone was very friendly and very knowledgeable. They made the process painless - and fa Highlander Hybrid at A-1. It was a fantastic experience! Everyone was very friendly and very knowledgeable. They made the process painless - and fast. I can't say enough about them. I would never go anywhere else. More
by chris
March 30, 2021
John Alberta and Kevin Wright were WONDERFUL to work with. From start to finish, they were very knowledgeable and patient with my timeline. I've been getting my cars here for 15 years and I will not go with. From start to finish, they were very knowledgeable and patient with my timeline. I've been getting my cars here for 15 years and I will not go anywhere else! More
by portiadantonio
March 23, 2021
My husband and I drove to A-1 after having a disappointing experience at a closer dealership. We were incredibly luck to have Dado as our salesman. He was very friendly and walked us through t disappointing experience at a closer dealership. We were incredibly luck to have Dado as our salesman. He was very friendly and walked us through the process without having it take hours. He was pleasant to work with and followed up with us a day or two later to make sure the process kept moving. More
by tigg189074
Employees Worked With
March 21, 2021
A1 Toyota has earned our repeat business for 5 consecutive cars. Just leased a wonderful 2021 RAV4 Limited and the experience could not have been better. All paperwork, insurance transfer, regis consecutive cars. Just leased a wonderful 2021 RAV4 Limited and the experience could not have been better. All paperwork, insurance transfer, registration transfer and lease paperwork was done perfectly. A1 went to extra step to find the exact RAV4 that we wanted in the trim, colors and option packages we desired. Would certainly do business with them again... also their service center is really well run, not that we have ever had anything substantial ever break on our Toyortas. More
by Vroom4
March 21, 2021
I love everything about my -AMAZING experience perching my 6th car from DATO DADIC. He treats me like family !!! Paul Wright with the financing is terrific. my 6th car from DATO DADIC. He treats me like family !!! Paul Wright with the financing is terrific. More
by edvergara
March 19, 2021
It's been quite awhile since I've walked into a dealership. Kevin Wright made my car buying experience very comfortable and pleasant. He found the vehicle I was looking for with the options I wante dealership. Kevin Wright made my car buying experience very comfortable and pleasant. He found the vehicle I was looking for with the options I wanted. both Kevin and Paul Wright (business manager) very efficient in handling my needs. More
by elopezjr37
March 17, 2021
Best car buying experience ever. Appreciated the excellent Covid-19 protocols and everyone I encountered was very pleasant and professional. It was a pleasure to work with salesperson Quincy Smith excellent Covid-19 protocols and everyone I encountered was very pleasant and professional. It was a pleasure to work with salesperson Quincy Smith and he took ample time to show me all I needed to know about driving the Prius Prime and the new technology. More
by indepapp
