My Early 296 Ownership Impression

IMHO the 488, while an awesome Ferrari, is going to be a bit more refined and GT-like than the 750S. The 750S will also be more powerful, agile and faster given the additional 100 hp, but more importantly, it’s lighter weight.

overall I’d say the ML is the more hardcore car of the two. You can’t lose with any, just depends on what you’re looking for. Dynamics wise, I always preferred the ML to the F8.

 

Ultimately, I would prefer an AWD with electric motors in the front which I hope the 750S successor will have. I was also somewhat concerned about the turbo lag of the 750S. I don't track and low end torque with no turbo lag is more fun for street use.

 

Had a 488 spider briefly and despised it. Very GT and sounded terrible. 765 was a whole different level which I’m sure the 750s gets close to.

 

What about turbo lag in the 750S? All of the YouTube videos show the 750S is slow from a start, but halls once it gets going.

 

I had 765, no seat time in 750.
Iirc in 765, hold on tight for when it hits.

 

The 488 is turbocharged too. The mapping is a bit different, perhaps, but it's certainly not naturally aspirated. If you put the car in the right rpm range, you will not experience any lag. People often incorrectly say turbo lag when they are talking about boost threshold.

Here is a good article: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a14242489/you-might-not-actually-know-what-turbo-lag-really-means/

EDIT: I will also say that, for my money at least, none of these cars (488, F8, 720, and certainly not 750/765) are "slow", even from a dead stop. We are talking tenths of a second on a 0-60, that, without a stop watch, we can't even notice. Those differences in the same car could down to road surfaces/slopes, gas, temperatures, tires, etc if you run them over and over.

 

I haven't had a lot of time in the 750S, but never loved the 488. When I bought my 720 I had driven a 488 and was underwhelmed. Never drove a F8 but that was a direct response by Ferrari to the 720's performance numbers. Personally, I think the lag is part of the character, because it's such a fun kick in the butt when the turbos kick in and I never found the car to feel to slow or laggy off the line. I bought the 720 over the 488 just because it felt more raw an passionate. It would really be personal preference.

 

I love the interior of the Ferrari far more but the engine in the Mc is on another level.

 

Yeah I get that screen too. But I learned after my 1st year service at the local dealer that the new platforms don't include VDA (vehicle dynamics assistance) anymore. So it'll say WARM UP and once its ready it'll stay blue like in your picture and it won't turn green / say READY like in the old models.

 

Let's hope so.

The 750S is nearly a decade newer.

 

correct. I think that’s a big miss especially if you got the AF package like I did.

 

You are correct. At least based on my 296. I had it out yesterday and I had your question in mind. I noticed the graphic remained the same color the whole time. The only thing that changes is the text- it goes from “WARMUP” to nothing. I was thinking about why they would make this choice and my conclusion is maybe they found different colors too busy looking? In any case, I would have suggested light green for when things are good, and so forth.

When it comes to driving the 296…. I love my older cars, I love where Ferrari came from and where it was. I really had 2 minds on the 296. One mind was it’s incredible, the other kept creeping in as the winter progressed and I found myself trying to remember driving the car. And I think subconsciously, I was thinking the hybrid is kind of like a cheat. And I was getting a bit grouchy when I thought about the car. I think this is normal when you’ve been around something for a while. But, its also important to remember why we love these things.

So yesterday, I said to myself: leave your cynicism at the door…. And boy am I glad I did. What a machine! To summarize it: it’s an astounding combinbations of the best parts of the 458 and 488. It has the 458 playfulness and instant/ “telepathic”/ throttle response, plus, the 488’s turbo torque, except it has even more shove. The steering is as pointy as the 458. Overall, once you get over all the nonsense, (in my case some of it truly in my mind), just drive the darn thing, well, there is something quite remarkable waiting for you. My car is a GTS and it’s the standard suspension. The spread of suppleness-firmness between bumpy road and full stiff is the best of any Ferrari yet. The hybrid is so well done, I think it’s not a cheat, I like how they kept most of the power from the engine, and the hybrid is a bit of a helper. Downsides from my standpoint are just that once in a while with low-mid RPM there is a millisecond delay before the power really comes on and yes, the sound is not as good as the older cars, but it is definitely better than the 488/F8 and SF90. The design and styling is not to everyone’s tastes, I like it a lot but Im not so sure its love. My suggestion would be to ditch the e-manettino, it makes it too much about the electric stuff, surely 99% of this could be integrated into the regular manettino and then just offer an e-drive button for those times you want it. I do miss the character of the older interiors, but they’ve gotta stay with the times. I think the only real objective criticism of the new interior is they didn’t make the start engine a physical button. Please bring that back Ferrari!

The VS will be tremendous, but even if you are not getting a VS, the standard car is like a greatest hits of the things we love about Ferrari.

 

I would have written it exactly the same way!

 

Hey so the one thing I'm convinced is missing for this 296, after experiencing a Novitec exhaust system on the also turbo-charged F8 (and certainly on the 812 but that's just a whole other level), is a louder exhaust. The complete system from Novitec is a whopping $23k + labor (with everything on it... see the quote attached from the shop in LA, happy to recommend them as I'm very happy with them).

I know it's very pricy, but also I know it's 100% bolt on / reversible, the quality is very high, and I've had 0 issues (no CEL light, no word from the local dealer, zip!) in both the F8 and the 812 in 2+yrs of ownership. I just wish there was another option from other manufacturers at a more decent price.

@Fabspeed Motorsport ???

Here are a few relevant videos and links:

Novitec:




Fabspeed:
https://www.fabspeed.com/ferrari/mid-engine/296-gts/
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b5W0QT8jc40 (honestly I don't know that this system changes the sound that much...?)
Boost Hoses:

Red Star:
https://redstarexhaustusa.com/296-gtbgts

Capristo:
https://www.instagram.com/capristo_automotive_my/reel/DEEnIIBTSpj/


Now these guys from Boden Autohaus did something here that I think sounds awesome, probably the best I've heard so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzdswcCYpI
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vojUwYHfVH8
The issue is once again cost. Around same price as Novitec. Theirs is titanium vs Novitec's stainless

iPE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw9xw2HMCjw
https://ipeofficial.com/products/ferrari-296-gtb-exhaust-system?srsltid=AfmBOopOiJiO6vX-GHPtjcZdWZHEA58nHoPr1fuxt45rwIhygJlx9z_S

Tubi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAajG9gGWnU
https://catalogue.tubistyle.it/ferrari/296-gtb-gts-2021.html


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Prob the best sound you can expect for what the car is. Not great but also good relative to Mc

 

the Novitec exhaust made a pretty big difference in the F8T. If I can get the same for the 296 it’ll be worth it (at least for me).

btw the 600LT stock exhaust is pretty great already. Ferrari just mutes it so much…

 

Great perspective! The process of gradually delivering more power, IMHO, means I get to 'enjoy' using more of the power band in low gears more often. I think the only two departments where the car doesn't have universal appeal is: 1. the loudness of the sound -- sound quality and south aesthetic is really on point from the drivers seat to me) and 2. body lines -- I know some fault the car for not having sharp and angled 'supercar' body lines. I really like it, and feel like it's all part of the the plan to build up the tension and ultimate release in the cycle of car design for Ferrari. They know not everyone buys every generation, and people have their seasons and preferences. 296s give people who love F8s the excuse for sitting out this cycle, just like some weathered 812 Superfast owners want to sit out the 12 Cilindri cycle.

The amazing thing is how much of a huge improvement the 296's performance, drivability, and sheer effortlessness is over the 488/F8 generation car. Certainly feels that way to me, at least.

 

This is the gift of electrification.

Anyone who has driven an EV for an extended period of time realizes just how effortless the drive is, and how effortless the torque comes on. It's something an ICE car can never replicate.

 

Great compilation of information. Ive been modifying cars for decades, but I’ve decided what they have here as stock is good enough for me.

 

The 296 is so complicated as a turbo charged six with hybrid and GPF- making these cars essentially unmodifiable due to the litany of potential problems- and then there’s the warranty issue.

On the other hand- the car is great as is.

 

I get this, but as you saw in all the videos above, it doesn't seem to stop Novitec and others from it. As far as warranty, after my experience with both 812 and F8, I'm not concerned at all. But that's just me, of course.

 

Stop Novitec? They are in the after market/ modification business- they will continue to make products as long as people keep buying them. The damage to some of these car systems may only show up 10 or 20,000 mile later. To each their own and caveat emptor.