The
Sunday Times - 4th September
2005
Q We own a seven-year-old Mazda MX-5 that
has developed a small hole in its vinyl hood. Is there an
acknowledged repair kit on the market? — AR from Birmingham
A Mazda does not sell repair kits but this
is a simple job that you can do yourself using the Halfords
soft top repair kit. It costs £29.99 and includes everything
required to make three repairs.
If the damage gets worse, try
Hot Hoods, which can supply and fit a new vinyl hood for £220-£299,
depending on colour, type and vehicle year.
Dennis Moor
Just a quick note to thank you for your work yesterday. The car looks good and the hood got a quick test in the rain as it poured for a while shortly after I left you! Thank you also for the helpful hints from Clive and yourself- it is good to meet others with a passion for MX5`s. I look forward to many years with mine. I will be very happy to recommend you to others if the opportunity arises. Best wishes, Dennis Moor.
Alison and John Palmer - Broadstone, Dorset
Apologies for not writing this sooner, however just wanted to say thank you for the fantastic job that you did on our replacement hood about a month ago. We went for mohair this time, and it really gives a whole new look to the car.
Thanks for your friendliness and efficiency - it was all done in about an hour.
Many thanks!
Miss R Simpson
- Thornton Heath
I would like to
say a huge Thank You to the guys at Hot Hoods MX5.
I called Hot Hoods MX5 in desperation a couple of weeks ago
asking for my hood to be changed the next day due to the hood
being punctured and turning mouldy after heavy rains. Having
already rung a number of other mobile hood companies that
day I was expecting the same negative response....But the
guys at Hot Hoods MX5 were extremely professional and gave
me a yes!!!
They called me on the day giving me an ETA, arrived on time
and did the job in no time at all. Not only does my car look
better but it feels more stable to drive!
Hot Hoods MX5...Thank you for making me fall in love with
my MX5 Sport again.
Syed Nauman
- Ilford, Essex (E30 BMW)
I just wanted to say thank you for fitting my hood. I was
surprised (no white van!) and impressed at the way you guys
conducted yourselves, you guys were very approachable.
Once again thank you for the hood (which looks really good
by they way), and I will be recommending you guys to family
and friends.
Kind regards,
Syed
Nick Hull
I'd just like to say thanks very much!
The fitting was quick and efficient and you were both very
professional and extremely friendly. Thanks for answering
my questions and giving me all the advice you did too. I shall
certainly recommend you to every other MX5 owner I come across
who needs a new hood!
Thanks again.
Michael Kemp
Many thanks for your prompt and efficient service on replacing
the MX hood on the Mk.1 model.
Excellent service considering you travelled from London to
Ashby-de-la-Zouch on Saturday morning and fitted the hood
in just under 2 hrs.How did you arrange sunshine on such a
November day to enable you to fit the hood in the open??
The motor now looks much smarter and good for a few more years
yet.
Once again many thanks.
Mike
Thanks for coming and sorting out our hood so promptly,Its
a great hood and considering the weather we have had has proved
to be totally waterproof, which is a testimonial to your fitting
skills, A great product at a very good price and its nice
to meet someone who keeps their word and sorts out problems
(not of your making) in such a prompt manner
Greg
This is just a quick email to say thank you very much for
fitting the cabriolet style vinyl roof to our newly acquired
N reg Mk1 1.6 BRG (which had an old tan roof before). We were
very grateful for all the help and advice that you gave us
during the short time we were with you last Saturday afternoon.
Paul Bennett-Todd
Hi Ian and Clive, it's Paul from Leeds with the silver Mk1.
Hi Guys, well it's a couple of weeks now since you fitted
my new roof and so plenty of time for me to evaluate my investment.
It started on the drive back from Essex, on the M1 and plenty
of driving rain.....but no leeks! A week or so ago, this time
in my home town, more intermittent rain.....but again not
a drop in the car! Then yesterday the heavens really opened,
thunder and lightening, rain pouring down almost non stop
until about an hour ago this morning.....and guess what? Not
even one tiny drop has found it's way into my car! That is
fabulous guys, really fabulous. A few weeks ago, all that
rain would have soaked the drivers side and made using the
car very uncomfortable.
So may I thank you both for a great job well done and not
only for that but also for all your other good advice and
tips that you offered me on the day, much appreciated. All
I can say is that I am over the moon, a fantastic job at a
very reasonable price and certainly well worth the 10 hour
round trip drive, no question. I will certainly recommend
your services to any other MX5 driver I meet in need of a
roof and am more than happy for you to quote me on your recommendations
page of your web site if you want to. So again thank you to
you both and all the best for the future.
Rich & Tracey
Kirkman
To the guys at Hot Hoods,
Thanks for the new hood, fantastic job (she's so much quieter
now). Excellent service, very helpful (thanks for the chauffeur
service to and from the station Clive !!). If you have ever
got anyone in this area who wants to check out your work they
can come and see us anytime (although visits at 2 in the morning
would be frowned upon). Once again thanks very much.
Richard
Just wanted to drop a note to say thank you for the excellent
customer service I received today when you replaced the faulty
manufactured hood on my Eunos, a highly commendable attitude
towards doing business. Thanks again.
Phil Collins
Thanks very much for fitting the hood today at such short
notice - it will be a godsend over the easter break - if the
forecasters are correct for a change! Very rapid, very professional
and a tip-top job - I'm very impressed and would recommend
you to anyone. You were even polite enough not to laugh when
I said I was going to spend the weekend playing about by stretching
my hood.... Thanks again.
Robert Webster, Norwich
- December 2005
"Many thanks for your quick and highly efficient service.
The new mohair hood was fitted in less than 2 hours and looks
great. Also thanks to Clive for the numerous tips on keeping
my MX5 in top condition. Well worth the 2½ hour drive
to get to you. Thanks again."
Sue and Rob Hawkins
- October 2005
"I would just like to say how pleased we are with our
new hood - Thank you! You were right about the mohair transforming
the car - it certainly has! It looks great. Also thank you
for all of the extra work that you did for us.We will not
hesitate to recommend you to others. Thanks again."
John Sharp, Bristol
- October 2005
"I would like to show my appreciation
by letting you know how pleased I am with the new Mohair Hood
you fitted to my Mx5/Eunos. I chose the heated glass window
version, and it has transformed my car. Everybody that has
seen it remarks on how great the car now looks. I have owned
the car for over six years, and it has never looked better.
When my son and I arrived from Bristol, your son told us that
by the time we had walked to the nearby Tesco and had a breakfast
and a look around, the new hood should be fitted. On returning
a couple of hours later he had finished it and giving it a
water test, which of course it past. No more damp seats. The
first time in six years!
Thank you."
Sue Knowlson - July
2005
"I just wanted to say many
thanks for the excellent service in fitting my new hood, it
is perfect, with no more leaks, thank you also for putting
the flash into my lights, very handy, it was great to have
someone so enthusiastic about MX5s Thank you also for all
your handy tips, you certainly know your stuff!! I will certainly
recommend you, and will be very happy for you to use me for
a recommendation. Thank you again and best regards."
Mr
J . Parrish, Hertfordshire
"Thanks very much for supplying &
fitting my new hood. The service was second to none, very
friendly , fast & efficient . I would highly recommend.
Excellent product & service. Thankyou."
Mr
& Mrs Thorn, Bristol
"We thought the
service was absolutely brilliant & we were very pleased
with the hood. We
would recommend to anyone."
John
Moores, Wivenhoe, Essex
"I was very impressed by Ian's courtesy
& dedication. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending
this company. Good value for money, good workmanship.....Exactly
what you are looking for in a small company."
Kevin
Mayhew, Buckinghamshire
"Brilliant value, stopped
all leaks! A thorough job."
Alex,
Rochester, Kent
"The hood looks wonderful & works
well - definitely no leaks as I got caught in a flash flood
on the way home! At your prices I think I'll change my hood
to a blue one next time. Thanks again - keep up the good work."
Alan
Malpass, Midlands
"Good value hood, excellent service. No
hidden extra's, the price you see is the price you pay."
Mike
Wren, Derby
"I
am most impressed by the excellent quality of the new hood
& the new elec' window mechanism; your skill; efficiency&
the attention to detail during fitting & most of all value
for money. The car looks as good as new again. Thanks for
a superb job."
Wes
Greenhead, Croydon
"Superb
hood, superb price, superb service! No more leaks! The car
looks like new! - What more can you ask? Highly recommended!
All the best."
Rev
Alan Phodgetts, Surrey
"Having left the Mx5 Eunos with Ian
to fit a new hood - his wife Sue kindly chauffeured us to
Ilford, where we had a successful shopping expedition. After
only 2hrs Sue came to collect us & we returned to find
the car resplendent with its new hood. Brilliant & many
thanks."
Rod
Mantell, Didcot, Oxfordshire
"Thanks
for the work you did yesterday, fitting the hood to my wife's
Mx5 Eunos. We are very pleased with the result. I would like
to add thanks to your wife for acting as a taxi service for
me!"
Shappir
Alim, Southgate, N.London
"Thanks for the fitting of the hood in
the freezing cold. It looks good & it seems that the rattle
which I had is now gone. Can't explain it but you've done
something.
Can't wait for the first rays of sunshine, thanks again for
braving the cold & I will be recommending you to anyone
who asks."
Andrew
Gromadzki
"We are very pleased with the new hood.
It is completely weather tight and indistinguishable from
original spec."
Tom
Loudon
"I would recommend Hothoods to everyone
who needs their MX5 hood replaced. I had a slight problem
with my new hood after ten months and when i contacted Ian
he replaced it right away."
James
"It's rubbish! But seriously, the hood's
great. Makes the car look like new again and doesn't leak
after a thorough rain test on the M4 yesterday! I'll be back
if I ever need a new one. Thanks, James"
Pete
Wilson , Peterborough
"Hi
Ian. Excellent job of fitting my hood. Took 2hrs as you said
arrived at 10.30 and left at 12.30. What can I say, efficient
polite and friendly service. A happy UK MX5 owner!"
Tim
Palmer, Highbury
"Praise be to HotHoods! I was always
concerned when buying my MX5 that I would be ripped off when
buying spares and accessories, but for a brand new hood, fitted,
in a couple of hours for £265? That is more than reasonable,
and the result does make all the difference to the appearance
and the integrity of the interior... no more damp seats!"
Adam
Nethersole
"Absolutely
bloody marvelous! The hood was fitted in under 2 hours and
after 3 weeks hasn't leaked at all. No complaints whatsoever,
would highly recommend Hothoods to fellow MX5 drivers. Ian
was also on hand to offer useful advice and tips on how to
keep the car clean and tidy. Overall excellent!"
Bryan
Marks
"This
short note is to say thanks for fitting the new hood on Good
Friday. My daughter was very pleased with the result. It was
great to watch a man at work who knows what he is doing and
takes pride in his work. Should you want to use me as a reference
do not hesitate. Thanks again."
Martin
Richardson
"Thanks
again for fitting the new hood. The car is rejuvenated and
I keep dry!!"
David
"I'd
just like to say thanks again for you giving up your time
today to sort my zip out!"
Colin
Smith
"Ian,
just a note to say thanks for the excellent job you did fitting
the hood to my V-spec Eunos a couple of weeks ago. The fit
is excellent, and on your advice I left it up for a few days
to stretch properly. It unfolds and folds superbly, and looks
absolutely perfect. And thanks to Clive for removing my stereo
and fitting the "flash" to my headlights, all at
no extra cost . Thanks again - it is not often someone promises
a good service and actually delivers it. Unfortunately, not
so common nowadays."
Dave
Stephens
"Thank you to you and Clive for doing
a great job on my hood yesterday, the trip home was awful,
high winds and torrential rain all the way, but not a single
drop made it through the hood. The tyre was fine, I checked
it regularly and had no problems. I didn't use the repair
stuff but felt a lot happier knowing it was there, so thanks
for taking me to Halfords to get it. It was great to meet
someone who delivers what they promise, good quality, great
service, great value, all done within 1.5 hours and a cup
of tea thrown in! I am more than happy to recommend you to
anyone needing a new hood. It's a shame you're not a bit closer,
but still well worth the 5 hour drive. Thanks again, Dave."
G
N Coley
"Hello, you fitted a new hood on my partners
MX5 on Tuesday. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for
your hospitality and the excellent service you provided. Many
thanks."
Ady
from Doncaster.
"Thanks guys, the hood you recently fitted
on my 1990 roadster is superb. What a difference it made!
The service (and advice) was outstanding, it was well worth
the trip down there. Take care."
T
CHANDLER,ORPINGTON, KENT.
"WHAT A SERVICE, I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT HOOD FOR MY
EUNOS ROADSTER ON A MONDAY TO BE FITTED IN KENT BY THEIR MOBILE
SERVICE,WHICH THEY SAID THEY COULD DO ON THURSDAY AT 1PM.
ON THURSDAY IT WAS RAINING AND I EXPECTED TO GET A CALL TO
CANCEL FROM THEM, BUT AT 1PM THEY ARRIVED AND STARTED TO TACKLE
THE JOB, AND WHAT A PROFESSIONAL FREINDLY SERVICE IT WAS,
ALL DONE IN AN HOUR AND A HALF INCUDING ADJUSTMENT OF ELECTRIC
WINDOWS, RAIN CHANNEL CLEARING, AND LEAK TESTING. AT LAST
NO WET SEATS, OR DRIPPING ON SHOULDERS. IT IS VERY RARE THESE
DAYS TO RECIEVE SUCH A SERVICE FROM ANYBODY, I CAN HIGHLY
RECCOMEND THIS FRIENDLY SERVICE (AND A QUALITY HOOD AT A BARGAIN
PRICE, WHICH I DO NOT THINK YOU WILL MATCH ANYWHERE). "
Nick
"Chris (the car owner) is thrilled. He
says the car sounds much quieter now too. All he needs to
"finish it off" is some new speakers! Thanks for
making the trip to Southampton and for carrying out the job
so efficiently. As you left my boss had a look too and thought
it a good job. As I mentioned, in a year or so he may ask
you to do the same to his Miata! Cheers."
Brian Gallagher
"You fitted my hood on Saturday. All round
service that far exceeded my expectations. Many thanks, well
worth the money. "
Paula (and Zippy)
"Just a quick note to say a big thank
you from myself and Zippy - she has been well and truly Christened
this morning - and no drips on me! She looks lovely - and
she is clean inside too! Again just a big thank you!"
Matt Lawrence from
Herts (black supercharged mx5 V-spec)
"If you're looking for a fast, friendly
and "cheap as it gets" service then these guys will
not disappoint. Flawless!!" |