The CTR is almost as dirty. TBH I know on paper the VXR has loads more torque, but in the real world, in gear, as long as the 197 is over about 2.5/3k rpm there isn't a great deal in it - we've both driven each others and both agree. It's down to the racey short gearing of the 197.
Thanks for the kind words everyone
Mine isn't dirty, because I'd only owned it about 3 days at that point heh, and I like to keep my cars clean anyway - ditto the Corsa owner (although he's had his a month or so).
Dan