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.

Caroline - Wolverhampton
I have just had a replacement mohair hood fitted on my MGF. The service I received was excellent Ian and Clive sent me out a sample in the post first to make sure it was the colour I was looking for and the hood was fitted in no time at all!  I would definitely recommend Hot Hoods for anyone looking to replace their MGF hood the service and end result is excellent! Thanks again guys!

Kully - Chafford Hundred, Essex
I have just had my hood fitted today on my BMW E36. Firstly i would like to thank Ian and Clive for the excellent job that they have done,it has made my car look completely different.The service was to a high standard and i would recommend Hot Hoods to anyone who is thinking of having there hood changed on there BMW. Once again thank you.

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
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

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
"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
"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
"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
"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!!"