Cancelled my 296 after seeing it, keeping F8

not necessarily

 

I had an F8 and I do not dislike the 296. But I prefer the look of the F8. Especially miss the S Duct on the front of the 296.

 

I’m open minded and not predisposed to disliking a new design just because I have an F8 on order (should be in my garage any day/week now). I prefer the F8 because of its stunning, aggressive look, it’s world-class performance, and to a great degree the fact that it has a non-hybrid, V8 engine. A meaningful uptick in F8 prices substantiates the fact that the 296 may not be nearly as well received as Ferrari had anticipated.

 

Well, everything is up.....not just F8's. So that last part doesn't prove anything.

I agree with you though, I have a 296 on order but I'm not thrilled about it yet. Perhaps that will change when I actually drive it. For now, I am greatly enjoying my F8S and can't imagine how a hybrid V-6 will be better.

This ALWAYS happens with a new generation of cars though. People downplay the newer model and how it won't be as good, doesn't look as nice, etc. etc. etc. Then everyone warms up to it and how it's actually improved.

And this isn't even the first time I can recall that a replacement model has more power (and yes, Ferrari doesn't want to admit it, but the 296 is essentially the F8 replacement) is being looked at by some as a downgrade. The 488 had a better interior, better chassis, more HP, and more torque than the 458....but some felt like it was an inferior car.

 

I may have to agree with you on the 296 GTB. I have a SF90 on order but honestly this may be the last new Ferrari I get. I am selling my 458 regrettably but have a 512TR and my eye sight set on the F40. The 296 looks nice but I think it’s another supercar with no real feedback and too many electronic gadgets as is the SF90.


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I always go back to the adage: is it better to drive a fast car slow, or a slow car fast. For me, I just can’t see ever wanting a car faster than a Pista or 765LT.

 

Those 2 set the bar pretty high especially the LT.

 

I prefer to drive a fast car fast. Especially one that is immersive, compelling, exhilirating and connects the car to the driver as if the driver's brain is hardwired to the machine.

 

I was looking for a long time for another car near the 458 and waited for Ferrari to bring out a car that would suit me. 488 and f8 did not do it for me because both are actually very similar to 458 and then I saw the Maserati mc20 which was something completely different and I ordered it. After a few months of ordering the 296 came out and after seeing it I realized that my decision to go for the mc20 was the right one. Also a carbon chassis, without an electric motor and also cheaper and in my opinion also more beautiful. Plus I do not like the cabin of the 296 which in my opinion is too high-tech

 

https://newsconcerns.com/maserati-mc20-already-recalled-over-fuel-leak-risk/

 

I'm with ya on the F40!

Ray

 

I feel like a lot of us here have the F40 in our cross hairs. We may end up sitting next to each other at a future auction

 

Different strokes for different folks I think the F8 is gorgeous and way better looking than the 458 or 488.

 

the F8 is the best looking of the three, in my opinion. The J50 styling elements clean up the 488 rear and the S Duct looks great on the front.

if only it sounded like a 458, you’d have the perfect car! Ha. We can only dream. I tend to think over time the 458/488 will have similar values, with the F8 sitting a bit above. We shall see, the market is obviously distorted right now.

We DO know that there won’t be a mid-engine non hybrid V8 again. So that’s probably good for owners of all three models.

 

I hear this all the time. As I get older its very definitely better to drive a fast car slow. A slow car is just a slow car no matter how you drive it. That's why they make fast cars.

 

If anyone is not a fan of the 296 and its V6 setup then run out and get a Roma (F8s from new are impossible now) ... its probably one of the most fun Ferrari's I have driven in a long time. Amazing blend of GT and sport if you can can past all the tech inside its a bit laggy but you adapt. My wife loves it, my kids enjoy it, and I can throw stuff in the trunk.. its fast as ever, very playful and I actually think it sounds better then an F8.

 

You nailed it. Lame engines aside in the 488-F8-F90-Roma, the rear designs are an abomination. SoCal car shows, the SF90’s sit unloved and mostly unnoticed given how bland they are. Ive warmed up to the F8 looks over time. Not bad at all, but seemingly not a F design. But what is these days.
Went to order the 812 GTS and just couldn’t get past the bad looks enough to do it.
Have bypassed the F40, am thinking F50 as I adore the engine and open top. LaF Aperta? Haven’t driven one yet to know.

 

Until I can get a test drive in a LaF Aperta, no way am I buying one. Eager to know how it performs in rush hour traffic.

 

For me, most of the new F cars are too soft and GT other than the the 812C which is fine if that's what you want. Lambos offerings are more compelling to me right now. The Pista to me is one of the better cars they've buil. Looks and performance are are all there and can easily be driven regularly. That's where my money would be if I didn't have one and wanted an all around sports car. SF90 and 296 just aren't appealing enough to me right now to drop big money.

 

haha you never know I have to build a new house and a few things before going shopping for an F40, but it is on the todo list for the future. I kinda like the idea of rebuilding one and painting it white or silver maybe. Not real into red Ferraris, although I'd definitely make an exception for the F40.

Still kicking myself for not buying one back when they were "a little over priced" at $349K.

Many years back, I bumped into the CFO of Apple computer here locally at Laguna Seca. I didn't know who he was, but we both were standing there watching them load his F40 into a trailer. I asked the guy standing next to me "Is that your F40?" and he replied "Yes". We got to talking and he told me he had picked it up right near the low at $250K. I mentioned I owned an Internet company and he said something like "Oh, I work for a little tech company myself". When he left, I asked his name and he gave me his card, etc. When I flipped it over, it said "CFO Apple computer" as I remember.

I should have hung onto that card!

Anyway, yeah.. F40 would be nice.

Ray

 

the 458 and 488 are absolute masterpieces compared to the 296, which induces an emotional reaction that makes me want to completely disassociate with Ferrari as a brand in its entirety, it is just that bad.

I don’t prefer Lamborghini, but at least Lamborghini is keeping its brand identity as they evolve and they know who they are as a company. Ferrari just threw their brand identity into the trash with the 296, SF90, Daytona SP3, and pretty much everything they are doing now….even their fashion line, has anyone seen this travesty?? Ferrari makes it very difficult these days to remain loyal, and Ferrari more than anyone else continues to succeed on their laurels, because few other companies could get away with the corporate mistakes and mishaps that they have.


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So when did you drive the 296? I assume you saw it in person? How did you like driving the SF90? I’m sorry, but how are you judging a car that you’ve never driven? You have some very strong feelings for something that hasn’t even been tested or released yet. If the 296 beats everything around the track and the reviewers love it are you going to feel the same way? It may very well be all the things you say but I would suggest you reserve judgment until it has been released. Just my opinion.

I also remember when they changed the styling from the 360 to the 430 and when they changed to the 458 even when they moved to the 488. Everyone said the Brand lost its way and the new styling was horrible. Guess what, people learned to appreciate the new styling.

 

Didnt hear many complaining about the F8 styling. Just sayin

 

I couldn’t disagree more (except for the fashion stuff—yowza, the latest issue of TOFM is nauseating).
I love the 458, and I love the 488...and on Saturday I saw the 296 in the flesh for the first time.
The 296 is absolutely beautiful and it absolutely remains true to gorgeous iconic Ferrari’s across decades. It blends impressions from the 250 LM and the 246 Dino effortlessly. You don’t need to have a designer’s eye to walk around the 296 and have those historic elements jump out at you. The lines are clean and uncluttered, the curves denote feminine beauty which is a hallmark of Ferrari design going back to the early 1950s. To say that this car does not embody any of the Ferrari brand literally screams from the rooftops that you haven’t the slightest clue what you are talking about. In fact, I now consider your opinion on matters Ferrari so meaningless that I am going to consign you to my ignore list, simply because there is no point reading your opinions on Ferrari and further discussing Ferrari with you.

 

Financially, you could have purchased 50 F40 if you bought Apple stock at that time.