F8 If you already had a Pista - F8 or 296 and why

By now emphasizing " Fun to drive", there is an implicit admission that past models were lacking in that area. The positive outcome of this development may be that Ferrari cars will elevate the engaging and compelling nature of the driving dynamics of their new cars.

 

I rarely or ever agree with Jcmd, but including drag times of the TTS and advice on which tires to use might be considered beyond the confines of the subject of this thread.

 

Great advertising approach - " Our new 296 is not as dull and lifeless as the F8 and SF90. " LOL.

 

I think it is more fear driven, to promote acceptance of a V6/turbo/hybrid in the Ferrari range, it's all new and unlike any Ferrari before and they want to sell it for a high price. This is their test case if they can make this premise work. Look how quickly 296GTBs have been appearing at Ferrari dealers (apparently working cars, unlike the SF90 where non-working cars were first sent to dealers 6+ months after the reveal --none would 'start'), including dealers being fully prepped with signage and more to welcome in customers to order now, to keep the excitement going. I presume industry test drive videos will be released soon as well.

 

Not sure I've seen it published yet. The photos shown in another thread look like it's a bit more like a 488/F8 in capacity vs. a SF90 since there is no front electric motor.

 

Jcmd needs to lighten up. These are extravagantly priced cars being discussed. They exist for only a singular purpose- enhancing the enjoyment of life for those fortunate enough to own them. The more models that can accomplish that purpose the greater the benefits for all enthusiasts. You don’t like a specific brand, you are free not to buy it. The fact that it exists creates competition in this space, results in elevating the bar for every company. Having ones Avatar as a burning McLaren is not a healthy sign.

 

I know some have complained that this thread got completely derailed but not all of it. Since the question is about 296 or F8, other suggestions are bound to come up - 812, 765 etc. I really can’t get to grips with some of the views here, the SF90 just does not feel lardy or boring in any way, shape or form. It’s a different car to the 765/Pista genre but has a lot of the aggression and personality associated with those, especially in AF trim. By definition, 296 should not be disadvantaged versus F8 or the others by dint of its hybrid layout, at least from what I can gather from my brief time with the SF90. Hybrid is not where it’s problems lie. Far more problematic is the haptic interior. It’s not disastrous and in fact is easier to fathom and navigate than Porsche’s infotainment. In the Porsche everything is more sophisticated, whereas the Ferrari has quite a ‘techy’ feel. The upside on that point is that the Ferrari’s logic system is pretty good and works well. The biggest issue is that you keep hitting the haptic buttons when you’re driving quickly, which changes the screen or other functions. I remember being at the SF90 launch and hearing the designers talk about EOTR and HOTW - eyes on the road and hands on the wheel - to allow you to focus on driving. What it delivers is the reverse unfortunately. I’ll get used to it I suppose but I think it won’t be long before I’m longing for a return to buttons from all manufacturers. That might be a reason to choose the F8. For me, Ferrari’s handling of the hybrid issue is brilliant. I was a bit nervous of it because I got very frustrated with our Panamera Hybrid. Every time you turn that car on it reverts to hybrid mode and you seem to always end up there. It is great as a luxury car but surely a Panamera should be sporty? That was just an effort compared to the Ferraris and Porsche GTs I have got used to. The SF90 doesn’t fall into that trap. It feels like an ICE car first and foremost. Sure you can use hybrid or electric only but it doesn’t default there. The integration of the hybrid power and AWD is beautifully done, the car informing you easily of how it is working. In the end you don’t bother because its motive power is so seamless and tractable you end up concentrating on the driving instead - just how I like it. I certainly don’t hold the fact it feels more like the Speciale than the Pista against it.

I took our Speciale to a track day today - early start, three hours away. The weather was terrible on the way down and not great at the track. I decided to end early and leave for home when the track got greasy and a GT3 driver got a tank slapper going and reversed into the tyre barrier at about 50mph as I was approaching him for an overtake heading onto a straight. Whole side of the car needs fixing, driver (and instructor I understand) walking home. I think I may have it on video. Our Speciale is important to us and there was another issue. On arriving at the track, a 105db day, the Speciale registered 114db. They let me on but warned that if I broke the noise limits that would be that. I can tell you that the Speciale is not half the car when limiting revs to about 6,000 where the noise test points are around the track, and nor is the lap time. And here is where the noise issue strikes. What is the point of loud aggressive cars if you can’t use them on track - or on road trips,? In 2019 we took a GT3 RS to the Black Forest and had a Police escort and helicopters following us for two days. They stopped me once and told me they know exactly where I am because they can hear the car. The 488 crew with us were fine. With decent throttle response, minimal lag and a less voluminous but still decent (SF90 better than Pista) sound, I’m becoming less bothered by turbo cars. One of the reasons I swapped our GT3 RS for a GT2 RS was the volume on the 3, which started to bother me. What’s the point of great sound if the sheer volume spoils the usability and fun? I get that this issue is location specific, but for my uses, loud volume is becoming a bit pointless. Spending a day driving the Speciale, sometimes in terrible rain with relatively few opportunities to see the 6 red lights on top of the wheel, the bassy boom at 3k revs under load was far from welcome. Was this lauded (and loved) 458 really starting to annoy me with its noise? Yes, maybe. It’ll always be with us I hope, but having a Pista and an SF90 in the garage doesn’t make me feel nostalgic for the past so much as glad that the future has much to offer.

My conclusion about the 296? Noise, hybrid or looks are not going to be a reason to decide against it. I’ve had (and enjoyed) an F8. But I reckon the 296 is going to be twice the car. Ferrari hybrids are not the problem that Porsche’s Panamera version is, of that I’m certain. It’s still early but I think SF90 is no apology from Ferrari and needs no apology from me. Owners will know.

 

I like this write up. I don’t have any experience with the SF90 but I can get down with pretty much everything you said.

 

How can that be right? What should they say, “it’s not quite as fun to drive as the previous cars”? They always say things like fun to drive, or twelfth dimension (812) or most knowledge transfer from the track of any Ferrari (Pista) or ‘beyond imagination’ meaning you can’t believe how good it is - SF90. It is never a statement about previous cars, it reflects the design thought and concept that they followed. Simple as that. Marketing rubbish? Perhaps, whether they met their target is up to the consumer to decide, but the line just tells you what their priority was. You like McLaren. The Artura is ‘the full force of McLaren’, meaning that by your logic the 765, P1 and F1 were half a job. It’s like putting words in the mouth of someone else to form a narrative that illustrates your opinion as fact. You’re a conspiracy theorist!

 

Your last couple of sentences are beyond my limited comprehension. I interpret the emphasis on " Fun to Drive" as Ferrari's way of communicating that the new hybrids will not be sacrificing the emotional component of driving in the service of the new technology. I have not followed the Artura, as I have little interest in it, but again it is ostensibly Mclaren's way of assuring its clientele and others, that its hybridization will not compromise the Mclaren hallmark, which is its compelling and engaging driving dynamics.

 

Does it really matter what a marketing department (sometimes not even in house) comes up with for a slogan? Or a graph? I just want to drive the car. If it goes like 830 hp and 3500 pounds should, then consider me in.

 

I dunno…I tend to think any discussion is better than no discussion.

 

Some here are ONLY interested in Ferrari's. I respect that. To each their own.

 

I like the SF90 more than you like the 765LT, and I like it a crap ton more than the 296. When I saw one in the flesh at the US F1 race in 2019, I was blown away. It’s so much better in person. I have never seen a less photogenic car. If I had an extra $750,000 laying around, perhaps I might give it a go. For me, the biggest impediment of that car is the price point. For the same money as a SF90, I can get not one, but TWO highly desirable cars. I passed on my allocation, and naturally they are trading for $100,000+ over in the secondary market, so my window appears to be closed for now.

 

I certainly respect it, but I don’t get it. I prefer tall blondes, but when I was single, I was highly diversified in my pursuits. Cars to me are like beautiful women.

 

Amen.

 

There definitely should be comparative discussions of different brands of super cars regardless of which forum as that gives context to how a specific model of Ferrari, in this case, compares to a McLaren, Lamborghini etc. Perhaps the Ferrari enthusiasts felt excessive amounts of posts were devoted to other brands that were totally unrelated to Ferraris.

 

Comparing cars to women may get you in deep trouble with the woke police. Hopefully none are lurking on this forum. Which car is your equivalent of a tall, sexy, stunning blonde?

 

I think you might of hit it on the nail. Lately there has been a ton of discussion on the 765 and maybe some of the members feel it distracts from the perceived purpose of this forum as a Ferrari based one. I do agree that comparisons discussions are unavoidable and inherent in this hobby though.

 

Well if you look at their press PDF it’s a clear shot at the F8 in regards to fun to drive


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

ok to further degrade the thread..interesting tid bits: The "enhanced driving engagement" vs" fun to drive:" pitches which would you choose. the Mc L engine started out from Nissan(20+ yrs ago), then rights bought by Ricardo, they got complaints from owners it was too quiet( engine noise, not exhaust , so they made it less quiet, they also employed stiff engine mounts and made sure it made all kinds of hisses, rattles etc..hot tube even .... they achieved this.. so you get this loud noisy cabin, narrow stiff seats, tiny MMI screen, no AC option, no radio option, low speed turbo lag followed by a wild jolt of all out torque. Wanna punish your self,, go ahead , it will only be a short ride anyway. Ignore your aching lower back. Forget listening to the music/radio. Too loud. The price of 9 sec quarter mile runs and crazy speed bragging rights. Soon to end with hybrid 900 + HP.... The F is the "fun to drive" approach., looks better as well. A better blend of styling, performance, relative comfort and gulp. . F status. The pocket rocket experience soon gets old and the pendulum swings. Made a TT old Mitsubishi in the last 70's s, smoked tires through 3 gears and blew the door out of the competition., scarry fun but it gets old... 765 is a monster, most of the time you just want a good dog.

 

Well said. And your thoughts on noise is spot on. I like a loud car, but what is the point if it cannot be used? This is why I think of those decat solutions as all show, no go. You can't track withit, so why straight pipe a Pista or Speciale? That's always the first thing that strikes me when seeing a decatted car such as,a GT3RS, Speciale or Pista. It never sees a track and attract unwanted attention.

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Well said by all car forums resident troll ( both meanings).

 

I'll add that there's a difference between good sound and just loud.

 

How can you make this statement when no one, particularly you, have driven the 296 to make such a comparison? Ferrari will say what they need to say to sell the car, but how about waiting for independent people to actually drive it before making such a statement.

Your dislike for the F8 has been spouted from you over and over like a bad rash that won’t go away. People who actually own the F8 know the true story and it doesn’t match what you say.