Topcats vs Str8six

[anonymous-user]

Hoping to get my first chim soon and am wondering which of the two above i should give my 12k service to? im pretty particular as i guess most folk on here are and things down to fluids i may want to supply myself as well as wanting to ask millions of questions etc...

[gruffalo]

Can't offer a comparison but I trust STR8SIX and have done for many years, owned by an ex factory engine builder with the best customer service ethic I have ever known.

I wouldn't take my car anywhere else.

[pete275]

Another long term str8six customer here, no issues with providing own oils etc (I always use genuine LR oil filters for example).

Just had a 12k service and clutch and service was spot on as usual.

You won't go wrong with either though imo

[Timja]

I have used both - Out of the 2 I would only recommend Topcats.

I'm sure there are many good and not so good experiences of any TVR service place and Str8six are 'meant' to be renowned for quality and customer service.... as I say though, I have used both and I would only use Topcats out of those 2 now!

[mk1fan]

RC1 said:

im pretty particular as i guess most folk on here are and things down to fluids i may want to supply myself as well as wanting to ask millions of questions etc...

That puts Str8six out of the running. Jason won't allow you to 'disturb' the mechanics and you'll be shoo'd out of the garage.

Can't speak of Topcats.

However, if you want to watch as your car is worked on. Ask as many questions as you like. Then try Mat Smith Sportscars out East Anglia way. He'll let you stand under you car as he's working on it giving you a running commentry. Can't speak as to whether he's happy to fit supplied parts. You should ask.

[alex_gray255]

As with any of these threads, I would suggest you ring both places and speak with them first.

You'll always get mixed experiences here.

[300bhp/ton]

All this worry for a 1960's OHV V8 that's been fitted to a million different vehicles...

[QBee]

mk1fan said:

However, if you want to watch as your car is worked on. Ask as many questions as you like. Then try Mat Smith Sportscars out East Anglia way. He'll let you stand under you car as he's working on it giving you a running commentry. Can't speak as to whether he's happy to fit supplied parts. You should ask.

+1 for Mat

He has fitted loads of bits that I have supplied, from a Rollcentre roll cage, to Shell Helix 10w60 racing oil, Iridium spark plugs, Leven drop links, Hawk brake pads, used Gaz Gold and Racing Red dampers. Mat is a real expert, will fit what you like but will also check over what you are fitting in case it is faulty, discuss it with you and make sure with you that what you are doing is right for you and your car. Total gent, total expert, cannot speak highly enough of him. Brilliant at setting up cars for the track/road and doing computerised four wheel alignments, tweaked to suit your driving.

[SILICONEKID345HP]

What`s str8six prices like ?, The reason I`m asking is because Willow sports cars in Newark have been taken over by stri8six which probably means a price increase ..

Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Monday 10th August 18:10

[Milky400]

Mat smith for me too, absolutely superb service and Always has the time to talk to you and run through everything he has done

Not experienced servicing at either of your suggested two, have spent time speaking to Jason about a Tuscan I bought (and soon returned) he took the time to talk to me and at no point did I fill hassled to hang up.

[portzi]

SILICONEKID345HP said:

What`s str8six prices like ?, The reason I`m asking is because Willow sports cars in Newark have been taken over by stri8six which probably means a price increase ..

Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Monday 10th August 18:10

Willow were undercharging for years and when they first started you could have had a full chassis off rebuild for £3000!!!. You did benefit yourself from Willows good will last year with your oil pump issues , alot of places would have not helped you out.

[PGNCerbera]

gruffalo said:

Can't offer a comparison but I trust STR8SIX and have done for many years, owned by an ex factory engine builder with the best customer service ethic I have ever known.

I wouldn't take my car anywhere else.

This. One of the best people to deal with I have come across.

[ukdj]

PGNCerbera said:

gruffalo said:

Can't offer a comparison but I trust STR8SIX and have done for many years, owned by an ex factory engine builder with the best customer service ethic I have ever known.

I wouldn't take my car anywhere else.

This. One of the best people to deal with I have come across.

Two sides to every story, I wouldn't agree with the above, having had first hand experience of shoddy treatment and the misfortune to have to test their full wear & tear included warranty which unfortunately is now going legal

alex_gray255 said:

As with any of these threads, I would suggest you ring both places and speak with them first.

You'll always get mixed experiences here.

- Agree entirely ask the question and up to you who/what you believe

So +1 for Topcats here

Edited by ukdj on Monday 10th August 20:25

[SILICONEKID345HP]

portzi said:

Willow were undercharging for years and when they first started you could have had a full chassis off rebuild for £3000!!!. You did benefit yourself from Willows good will last year with your oil pump issues , alot of places would have not helped you out.

It always worked out far more than 3k with parts .That was the basic price without fuel lines ,bushes etc etc .

What do you mean by "good will " ? I paid for the work to be done ! It was not free ,my bank account reduced by around £600.



I`m not paying a premium for a jalopy TVR ,its not a 100k super car just a junked up kit car !

Keep out of my business, you have always had a problem with me ..

Am I right by saying Willow did Str8six`s chassis rebuilds, they just stuck a tidy sum on for very little or no work .

I was 100% happy with there work ,just a pity they have been taken over .

Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Monday 10th August 22:00

Edited by SILICONEKID345HP on Monday 10th August 22:00

[Zippee]

QBee said:

mk1fan said:

However, if you want to watch as your car is worked on. Ask as many questions as you like. Then try Mat Smith Sportscars out East Anglia way. He'll let you stand under you car as he's working on it giving you a running commentry. Can't speak as to whether he's happy to fit supplied parts. You should ask.

+1 for Mat

He has fitted loads of bits that I have supplied, from a Rollcentre roll cage, to Shell Helix 10w60 racing oil, Iridium spark plugs, Leven drop links, Hawk brake pads, used Gaz Gold and Racing Red dampers. Mat is a real expert, will fit what you like but will also check over what you are fitting in case it is faulty, discuss it with you and make sure with you that what you are doing is right for you and your car. Total gent, total expert, cannot speak highly enough of him. Brilliant at setting up cars for the track/road and doing computerised four wheel alignments, tweaked to suit your driving.

Another one for Mat here, though a heck of a long way to travel I won't trust anyone else with my car.
If I really had to go elsewhere then either Power or Bespoke in that order, nothing against Topcats or Jason and his guys just never had any opportunity to use them.

Edited by Zippee on Monday 10th August 21:31

[Timja]

I moved earlier this year and Willow Sports cars are now my closet specialist so I thought i would give them a go for my next service, then a few weeks after moving came the announcement that Str8six have bought them which means I now wouldn't use them. Shame really as they would have been convenient, but i'd rather travel further than give Str8six any more of my money.

[davettf2]

Peeps, As I live close to str8six I have used them with no problems for the past 3 years on my Chim. I usually drop off on a Saturday morning, one of them drops me back off in the village, picking me the Saturday after the service and MOT is complete. I often chat with the mechanics whilst waiting and have always been treated courteously. Granted I only have experience with Jason and his merry men, but its a service I am happy with.
dave

[gruffalo]

mk1fan said:

RC1 said:

im pretty particular as i guess most folk on here are and things down to fluids i may want to supply myself as well as wanting to ask millions of questions etc...

That puts Str8six out of the running. Jason won't allow you to 'disturb' the mechanics and you'll be shoo'd out of the garage.

Can't speak of Topcats.

However, if you want to watch as your car is worked on. Ask as many questions as you like. Then try Mat Smith Sportscars out East Anglia way. He'll let you stand under you car as he's working on it giving you a running commentry. Can't speak as to whether he's happy to fit supplied parts. You should ask.

I have to disagree, my engine still has a couple of years warranty with STR8SIX and they are happy for me to have done fluid changes and repairs myself so long as it goes back to STR8SIX for scheduled servicing they are fine.

Want to watch, also never had a problem, in fact even got underneath and done a few bits myself while she has been up on the ramps, never a problem.

I am a STR8SIX bigot I have to admit, it is the way I have been treated over many years that have made me thus.

Edited by gruffalo on Monday 10th August 21:52

[Graham]

QBee said:

+1 for Mat

He has fitted loads of bits that I have supplied, from a Rollcentre roll cage, to Shell Helix 10w60 racing oil, Iridium spark plugs, Leven drop links, Hawk brake pads, used Gaz Gold and Racing Red dampers. Mat is a real expert, will fit what you like but will also check over what you are fitting in case it is faulty, discuss it with you and make sure with you that what you are doing is right for you and your car. Total gent, total expert, cannot speak highly enough of him. Brilliant at setting up cars for the track/road and doing computerised four wheel alignments, tweaked to suit your driving.

Hes also turning out to be handy behind the wheel as well as behind a spanner... only his 3rd race weekend and he too a second ahead of a much more experienced and successful racer and hes been on the pace since race 1 !!! and he built and prepped the car himself.

[mk1fan]

Had Tamy serviced there. Ran brilliantly afterwards. No issues with the work done, the included inspection and the extra work that arose and was addressed.

However, I was not allowed in the garage once work began and told not to speak with the mechanic. Straight from Jason's lips.

Jason is free to run his business as he sees fit. As a new customer I assume the above will also apply to other new customers. If that's the case, then St8six is, imho, not for the OP.

As I am not a long standing customer then I can make no comment as to how one is treated by Str8six.

What I can say is that having used Mat Smith once I'm booked in again on the 26th with Suni for a geo and to collect some shocks for Samy.