My Early 296 Ownership Impression

now that’s not too nice…

 

The pull of this thing above 60 mph! Wow is all I can say. Definitely feels more stronger than 765 above 130. I haven’t felt the like before. Brilliant to drive. Anyone who criticizes hasn’t driven one enough or is one tough customer. Telepathic, instantaneous change of direction and pace. And sounds amazing, just above 5k.

Dislikes a couple hundred miles in are small. I’ve mentioned a few and won’t harp on them. Add a couple more. There’s a lot of glare from the dash. And also the gearbox at lower speeds isn’t responsive. When you’re on it it’s lightning quick though. I still don’t like the paddle action and sound.

 

This guy could be an automotive journalist. Everytime he writes about his cars, I want in one.

Do one about a Kia Soul next

 

Ok, to get perspective, took the 765 out after the 296. They really do drive differently. Which is great. Let's go after it point by point:

1. Seating position: 765 10/10. 296 6/10. 765 is more reclined. The bucket seats are tighter around the hips which makes one feel more secure. The 765 has 3 more inches of head room and 3 more inches of leg room. The 296 seating position is absolutely it's downfall. The seating position reclining 5 degrees more would be huge. It's Porsche GT3 upright at the moment.

2. Sound: 765 8/10, 296 8/10. 765 is much louder at start up. The whole car rattles. I like the pops of the transmission at up shift in sport mode and I LOVE the organic loud pops when you lift off the throttle. It's maniacal. The 296 is a much sweeter super car sound. Sounds more racy. Above 5k the 296 sounds better. It's just a lot quieter below 5k. You need to ring the 296 out. And the 296 does not have the pops and bangs. Maybe that comes with miles.

3. Acceleration: Both 10/10. The 765 is a more immersive acceleration experience under 100 mph simple because of the lag and less sophisticated traction make it eye openingly scary when it starts moving forward. It's an intense machine. The 296 probably moves forward at a similar pace, just hooks up better and is less intense overall under 100 mph but definitely feels quicker above 130 mph or so. Put it like this, second gear is the 765 is 30% more nuts (seat of the pants feeling) than the 296. Third gear is 10% more wild in the 765. 4th gear is the same. 5th gear in the 296 now feels 5% more intense than 765. Etc. My guess is the 765's verified (by my dragy) 60-130 mph time of 4.7 seconds is .3/.4 seconds quicker than the 296 but the 100-150 mph time is exactly the same. The 150-180 mph time in the 296 is probably a little bit quicker. A lot less drag than the 765 and the 765 has more aggressive gearing.

4. Steering and Change of Direction: 765 9/10, 296 9.5/10. I know the 765 is 600 pounds lighter, but it actually feels heavier. Certainly the hydraulic rack and longer wheel base is the reason of the this. It's just less reactive than the 296. It's more progressive. But it doesn't dart like the 296 does. I do trust the 765 more, right now. I also have near 7000 miles in it. The 296 is so reactive it's border line nerve racking.

5. Braking. Both 10/10. Amazing brakes for both.

6. Overall. 765 9.5/10, 296 9/10. For me the 765 is an all time amazing machine. Crazy, immersive, loud, rattly, and fun as hell. The potential last of a wild 2010's era and best super car ever made under $1mm. The 296 is really only let down by it's seating position, but this is purely for me at 6'3 220. A smaller person wouldn't have that issue. But hey, it's my money. However, everything else about the 296 is staggering. To be that close to the GOAT and do it in a way that's different and exciting is great. And this is the NON VS version! Ferrari crushed it.

 

Based on my limited seat time with the 296 (and almost all other modern F cars I've driven) this is really due to the hyper quick steering of the 296.

The quick, almost twitchy, steering feel of the 296 makes it feel lighter than it is. The hydraulic setup of Macs are truer, and thus by nature (and certainly by comparison) will make the car "feel" heavier vis-a-vis the Ferrari.

Good writeup.

296 is a fabulous car.

 

Thanks once again for taking the time to share your POV. I personally really appreciate it.

In my case I own a 600LT and an F8T. I find myself comparing them all the time and so I, in my own way, identify with your comments.

My bottom line is that I like the way the LT feels more than the F8, especially when it comes to spirited driving. Both at the track and mountain pass, it's more raw, visceral, racy, lighter and most importantly, I enjoy the suspension and steering feel. While I do love my F8, it's certainly more GT-ish than I'd like it to be, more so than the LT, and as a GT-ish use case, I already have my 812. So I guess based on this conclusion, I should either get a Pista, or hope a 296 with the AF package will feel closer to that LT feeling, like you're describing. Or... simply enjoy the LT and sell the F8T.

 

That’s a great collection. Congratulations. There’s way too much value discussion on this forum lately and I hate that so I’m trying to contribute to actual car discussion as I can. I encourage you to write as much as you can about the actual fun/informative parts of using these cars!

 

Where is JoSta driving his 296 at speeds of 180MPH.

 

Can we get some color on the 180-200 MPH time?

 

I wish Ferrari had the sense to realize the haptics heavy wheel is bad and address it quickly like Tesla did with Yokeage.

 

must admit I thought the same thing

pls share!

 

Mexico, guys.

 

1) you've driven the 296 from Scottsdale / Pittsburgh to Mexico???

2) Where in Mexico?

 

I think this is one of those don't ask, don't tell situations...

 

Ding ding ding

 

Easy to quickly hit those speeds for a few seconds and back down to a normal 110

 

Really.

 

Great write up, thank you, keep on enjoying everyone!

 

I guess at only 300 miles shes well and truly run in now lol!

 

Car looks great in the pic. Very nice!
Totally agree with you on the seating positIon and tightish cabin but other than that its a great car. Also surprised to hear the haptics aren’t driving you nuts. That was my biggest hate. Im not quite as tall as you but also felt the seats and seating were disappointing after the 765. You get used to it but its a head scratcher why Ferrari still cant put out a decent seat and seating position after so many years.

 

Lambo was the worst…all the seat designs in the Huracan were bad. Not sure about now.

 

Interesting reg the seat. My absolute best Ferrari seating experience? The Scuderia's. The racing seats in the F8 are also very nice, but the Scud is another level.

 

Nothings changed there although the comforts are pretty good i find. Lambos sports and racing seat options are definitely back breakers though. It must be an Italian thing where they struggle to accept they got it wrong and continue on hoping at one point people will patronise their brilliance- but its never going to happen the way the are going.

 

I dont mind the racing seat although its definitely undercushioned - but it could be a lot better if only they looked at what McLaren is doing and applied it. It would be much easier for Ferrari to copy successful seating and ergonomics rather than keep trying to find it on their own. They’ve had long enough time and still keep missing the mark (surprisingly).

 

It’s interesting about seating. I am 5 9 and the cabin and seats are great. My son is 6 1 but thin and he hasn’t complained. I have the regular sized Daytona seats. He does not love the haptics and was saying he could do anything, from air con to driving mode to stereo etc with his eyes shut in the f8 and 812 and the new interior is far from that set up. I didn’t love the haptics in the Roma but must be getting used to it as I am fine in the 296. We drove to the airport today (me in my wife’s eqs suv (super quiet) with him behind in the 296. The Ferrari looked amazing on the move and the sound from where I was sitting was so good. I drove the whole way with the window down so I could hear him shifting away in the 296.