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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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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
September 15, 2016
Best Experience I've ever had with a car dealership The whole staff made the car leasing process easier than I could have imagined. Shout out to Luigi who went out of his way to get me into a Toyota Cor The whole staff made the car leasing process easier than I could have imagined. Shout out to Luigi who went out of his way to get me into a Toyota Corolla with no hassle. Would definitely recommend A1 Toyota. More
by eruss2090
Employees Worked With
Angel Ramos, Luigi D'Aria
September 12, 2016
Fast and Efficient Transaction When I went to the dealership, I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want to spend a lot of time completing the purchase. Mohammad recognized that a When I went to the dealership, I knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want to spend a lot of time completing the purchase. Mohammad recognized that a quick and efficient transaction what what I wanted and moved the process along, while not sacrificing customer service. More
by Diane
Employees Worked With
Mohammad Durrani
September 12, 2016
Great experience This has been hands down the best experience I have had at a car dealer. From the very first phone call to picking up the car was perfect. The no hagg This has been hands down the best experience I have had at a car dealer. From the very first phone call to picking up the car was perfect. The no haggle was perfect. Even trading in two other old cars was simple. Fariz made me and my family feel so good and his attention to detail was superb. There were no long waits and was a pleasure doing business with the entire A1 family. Angel in the finance department was right on point and made the deal just right for us. Will be back again for our next car or truck... Thanks again A1 Toyota!! More
by jared18
September 12, 2016
A-1 is the best shopping experience out there They go above and beyond every time exceeding my expectations. Four cars so far and my family and I will keep coming back to A1 Toyota They go above and beyond every time exceeding my expectations. Four cars so far and my family and I will keep coming back to A1 Toyota More
by Touch
Employees Worked With
September 11, 2016
Very attentive and no xx Our sale person, David Bryce, was excellent. He did a good job helping us pick the right car and he was very patient with our innumerable questions. Our sale person, David Bryce, was excellent. He did a good job helping us pick the right car and he was very patient with our innumerable questions. Carlos Orozco handled the paperwork and did a great job moving us quickly through the final steps while still providing clear explanations. My only complaint is that the process, once we decided on a car, was rather lengthy. We spent a lot of time waiting around. Also, the model we picked has a new design feature for the center console that is really ugly. It's so bad that Toyota designed a cover for the console to hide it. However, Toyota charges $350 for the cover! Charging that much money for a piece of plastic with no moving parts or electronics is obnoxious. The dealership was unwilling to sell the cover at cost. More
by byte22quba
Employees Worked With
Carlos Orozco, David Bryce
September 09, 2016
Great Job locating my Tacoma Luigi and all the staff at A-1 Toyota were awesome! They found the Tacoma I wanted in the color I wanted in days, Great job! Luigi and all the staff at A-1 Toyota were awesome! They found the Tacoma I wanted in the color I wanted in days, Great job! More
by Julio
Employees Worked With
Other Employees :
Carlos Orozco, David Bryce, Luigi D'Aria
September 09, 2016
awesome experience Amanda and all the staff at A-1 Toyota were awesome! I felt so important and felt that every single details was explained to me! Amanda was not pushy Amanda and all the staff at A-1 Toyota were awesome! I felt so important and felt that every single details was explained to me! Amanda was not pushy and listened to what we were looking for in a vehicle!! I would not go anywhere else More
by Rene
September 08, 2016
Very helpful and efficient My husband and I just leased our first car (Toyota Highlander) from A-1, after purchasing a RAV4 three years ago. Kevin helped us decide which was the My husband and I just leased our first car (Toyota Highlander) from A-1, after purchasing a RAV4 three years ago. Kevin helped us decide which was the best vehicle for our needs (newborn twins!). The staff at A-1 were very efficient as well. More
by EmilyD
Employees Worked With
September 07, 2016
great Mustafa and hatim and luigi great team and john the sales manager very good guy I recommend this team for everyone very friendly and they know what Mustafa and hatim and luigi great team and john the sales manager very good guy I recommend this team for everyone very friendly and they know what they doing down the eath group More
by fadif
September 05, 2016
Fantastic Mitch was an amazing person, extremely realistic and down to earth. Informed me about all of my potential options and was able to help me drive away m Mitch was an amazing person, extremely realistic and down to earth. Informed me about all of my potential options and was able to help me drive away my new car. He did a great job showing me all the options of the vehicle and was overall great. More
by Sal D'Amico
