Discussion
Does anyone have any thoughts before I start looking. I have a budget of up to £10,000 for a small hot hatch to use around the back lanes, no motorway driving is likely. During the week the journey is only 2 miles each way to the station and back. I have my heart set on a Trophy but some of the 197s coming on to the market look really nice at that level and obviously are a slightly more modern car. Does anyone have experience of both who could comment. In particular is using the Trophy for such short journeys each day likely to have an adverse impact or am I right in thinking that the engine in both is effectively the same and not really a weak part of either car (obviously subject to warming it properly etc).
I am really buying for the weekends of course and then will I notice a real difference between a Trophy and say a 10 reg 197?
I am really buying for the weekends of course and then will I notice a real difference between a Trophy and say a 10 reg 197?
Ive had a Trophy and now own a 200 Cup, both brilliant cars! Trophy was more chuckable and is slimmer so a bit easier on narrow B-Roads. Nothing went wrong with my Trophy over the 2 years I had it and only sold it due to getting a company car. Circumstances have now changed and I had the same dilemma as you! The only reason I went for the 200 was that it looks newer and just a change from what ive had. Handling is brilliant on the 200 although the Sachs dampers on the Trophy ironed out bumps/pot holes out better. My 200 hasnt given me any problems and is ideal for my short commute. I would imagine they would get quite tiresome if you had to use one every day for long trips in stop start traffic as they are quite crashy and the turning circle isnt the best.
If the roads you plan on using the car are narrow twisty B-roads id get a Trophy, to be honest the very rare time I do see one I think have I made the right decision! The 200 is good though when pushing hard, the turn is brilliant (on the Cup, I cant comment on a non cup chassis)and the engine note and grip are better than the Trophy.
Nice predicament to be in though as both are good cars!
If the roads you plan on using the car are narrow twisty B-roads id get a Trophy, to be honest the very rare time I do see one I think have I made the right decision! The 200 is good though when pushing hard, the turn is brilliant (on the Cup, I cant comment on a non cup chassis)and the engine note and grip are better than the Trophy.
Nice predicament to be in though as both are good cars!
I've not had a 197 but I had a Trophy and was on the one make forum.
IIRC a few owners migrated to 197s and were very positive about it as being better screwed together and a bit more 'grown up' than the Trophy.
As far as the Trophy goes though, they ride and handle sublimely. Mine wasn't 100% reliable - I had to have the dampers worked on twice and a sensor on the engine replaced - this went wrong again and I mended it with insulation tape.
But I definitely miss it!
IIRC a few owners migrated to 197s and were very positive about it as being better screwed together and a bit more 'grown up' than the Trophy.
As far as the Trophy goes though, they ride and handle sublimely. Mine wasn't 100% reliable - I had to have the dampers worked on twice and a sensor on the engine replaced - this went wrong again and I mended it with insulation tape.
But I definitely miss it!
If it was a choice between a 200 cup and a Trophy than it would be a tough choice but I didn't think the 197 was anywhere near as good as those two. I thought it felt quite stodgy even compared to a ph1 172 never mind a Trophy.
If you go to view a Trophy and it hasn't had its dampers refurbed with in the last 2 years don't even drive it, it will totally ruin the impression of it.
If you go to view a Trophy and it hasn't had its dampers refurbed with in the last 2 years don't even drive it, it will totally ruin the impression of it.
Forget 197 as your budget will get a 200. If its a drivers car you want the 200 will not disappoint especially with the Cup chassis. I've owned a 10 plater from new and have had NO ISSUES apart from the main dealer. The 200 is amazing on twisty roads and is a good size to hussle round country lanes. Great track day car too. Mate of mine also has a 200, 2009 and after 30 odd thousand mile has also HAD NO ISSUES.
Edited by Rs2oo on Tuesday 17th September 23:32
It depends also on what you like the look of. The Trophy is now a bit old looking. My daughter has one this shape and although undeniably a capable car, its old Which means with age things generally tend to go wrong more often and with possibly three four or more owners you can't guarantee how its been treated. You mentioned a budget of 10k so price does not come into it therefore a modern 200 is a good bet. I have been to The Le Man 24 Hours in it, a fast touring holiday round Derbyshire and Yorkshire, a number of track days and many Sunday runs in my car and it has been 100% spot-on as have all other owners I know. It is a very dependable and reliable multi award winning car and that's first hand.
Edited by Rs2oo on Wednesday 18th September 21:24
Rs2oo said:
D7Cup said:
Make sure there are no knocks coming from the steering though.
Not heard of that on the 200's before. No doubt Technomatt will do lots of interesting research and astound us with his knowledge. Go on, you know you want to..............Thing is they're setup much stiffer than the vast majority of road cars and much stiffer than the older cars so inevitably that puts more stress on certain parts of the car on our adorable tarmac.
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