The ITB 197 has finally gone :(

[ben_r1]

Well, after 5 joyful years of ownership the 197 finally parted my ownership Saturday gone. Its gone to a top fella whos replacing his 911 GT3 with a cheaper trackday alternative, to who i hope it gives many more years of enjoyment.

Been a roller coaster during my time in the 197 but i hold only fond memories of its capability, staggering handling and overall ability to make me look like a driving god even though the car did all the work. How it effortlessly lapped more exotic machinery around a wet Brands Hatch will always impress me beyond belief.

So overall its been a fantastic car to me and handled everything i threw at it in its stride, but i eventually got fed up of the bumpy ride, loud exhaust and general cost of running and maintaining such a highly modified car. It was always going to have to be something special to replace the 197 and keep me from regretting the swap. Fortunately i found myself a cracking replacement, saw it on autotrader one Thursday evening and had it viewed and deposit placed by Friday evening. The rest, as they say, is history :'(

197 as she stood the day it departed me, miss it already









Owner and car together for one last time:

 

[dangerdaz]

So what you running instead Ben?
Now I know why I haven't seen you around Snett Etc!

 

[ben_r1]

And replaced it with this:

















MeganeSport 265 Trophy No. 03/50 in Liquid Yellow.

12k on the clock, pretty much mint inside and out. Had dealer replace the drivers seat base as it was a little worn, apart from that it drives beautifully. So much more refined than the 197 and its like a steam train on the straights, suprisingly agile for such a big car around the twisties as well. So pretty much best of all worlds

 

[Jcs]

Shame to see it go, but my god that Meg is epic <3

 

[Chris_200CUP]

Very nice, loving the trophy

 

[litchy]

Really nice choice....

 

[Stevoox]

Want that meg.... looks great

 

[SarGara]

Welcome to the club :thumbsup:
(word of warning tho Meganesport.net is pretty pants for us Mk3 owners)

 

[smoggy mark]

Very nice:thumbsup:

 

[Mentalpen]

Crap replacement I have to say.........

And just watch it in damp conditions, those tyres don't like it at all.

 

[Jonesy]

nice replacement, quicker then the 197 in a straight line but still not the fastest

 

[nutnutwelshman]

Hi Ben nice to meet you on Sat love the new,car hope your enjoying Kevin

 

[ben_r1]

Thanks for comments all. I wasn't expecting anything special in the bends after years of 197 trackday heaven but after a late night drive Saturday it really impresses me. For its size a very nimble and chuckable car and the LSD really makes a big difference here, you can feel it pulling you out the bends!

On a tight track like brands hatch or Cadwell I think the clio would out pace this but defo fancy my chances against you all on silverstone or snetterton

 

[Yiannis197]

Great replacement mate! Glad you are staying in the RS scene

 

[Mentalpen]

Thanks for comments all. I wasn't expecting anything special in the bends after years of 197 trackday heaven but after a late night drive Saturday it really impresses me. For its size a very nimble and chuckable car and the LSD really makes a big difference here, you can feel it pulling you out the bends!

On a tight track like brands hatch or Cadwell I think the clio would out pace this but defo fancy my chances against you all on silverstone or snetterton

According to harrys laptimer I got round brands in 59:40.

You need to get to the how fast in June and we can go head to head!