My Early 296 Ownership Impression

people will stop buying them when they stop working or start giving them problems. It’s pretty simple and that’s how the market works. I have yet to hear anyone tell me they had problems and/or anyone offering any actual statistics or any data on how many fail. And I’m very open to hearing all about it, btw. I don’t get any commission!

 

True. Now… Do you feel lucky

 

Have never really believed in luck

 

I wouldn't put any of my hard earned money into anything Novitec again. I'm sure you'll be able to find the posts if you really wanted to find the issues. Mine is out there.

 

im sorry to hear you’ve had issues. I do want to know more about it, but when I search for “Novitec issues” using the search tool, only one post comes up:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/458-novitec-exhaust-and-problems.689597/#post-149544060

And based on what I read it was in a ML. if you can share yours I’m all ears. But with all due respect, it would still be one bad experience, and for me it’d be key to get real data from a statistical significant sample.

 

Personally, I think that a manufacturer claiming an exhaust system has impaired or damaged the car / warranty is total BS. That being said, I have never really started doing any meaningful modifications to a car until after the warranty was over. Except for the race cars, I generally have kept it to exhaust. I don't know if I'd ever modify my 720 or the incoming 296. Seems a shame to modify a masterpiece, but personal preference is up to you. I would be hesitant to touch the ECU on an exotic car, especially in today's day and age. There is too much going on in the "brains" of the cars for me to feel comfortable that anyone besides the manufacturer is qualified to play with it. Plus when you start messing with boost pressures, I think it can get ugly. Was easier before turbo engines.

 

100%. I was never a fan of any of this, btw. I never ever tune a car. I even feel bad changing wheels or anything, since as you said, it’s all been thought of and meticulously designed by the manufacturer.

But when it comes to exhaust, I think we all know the BS that’s related to emissions coming from Brussels, and so to make the car louder / free flowing WITHOUT ANY OTHER MOD, I’ve been ok with.

Both systems in the 812 and the F8 are only exhaust, nothing with ECU. Both bolt ons, 100% reversible.

 

do you see it as a long term hold?

 

great to hear thx

 

Rosso Imola? I think the 296 looks great in that darker red.

BTW, if anyone's in the market, here's a great one I almost pulled the trigger with. Heavily spec'd, especially CF pieces. First time I saw it it was in consignment and they asked for $499k, then $459k, now...

https://www.ferrarisanfrancisco.com/certified/Ferrari/2023-Ferrari-296-GTB-for-sale-San-Francisco-Bay-Area-37cdf66bac184fd804b4da7ac4dfab4f.htm

 

goodness, that is a massive haircut from msrp.

 

ouchie

 

i have a gts coming soon and i really hope it doesn't do this...

 

I mean if you're only gonna keep if for a year or two why put all that carbon in?

 

It's really in line with what I've seen in the market for GTBs. Original buyer will be paying a price for the 1300 miles for sure...

I personally told the dealer that there are many others out there that have come down $100k and that I'd buy it if <$400k (when it was down to $459k or so). They kindly requested I sent an offer, but I didn't think the owner would accept it! I should have!

 

Tell them 350 you got nothing to lose? edit: you already got one

 

GTS market keeping value much more so than the GTB, I can confirm this. I've been following the 296 since last summer. Prices are down quite a bit all over the place, but the 296 is such a controversial model. I ended up going for the GTS + AF package because I'm going to drive the hell out of it, and I found a great deal. So I don't care that much. But the GTBs are suffering, in my opinion, in an unreasonable way. Because the car is amazing.

 

I already found my toy (see a few posts earlier)...

But yeah if anyone is in the market, I'd offer a reasonable price and see what happens...

 

I have a similar spec coming. Question - I have the same tunnel and floor mats. Are the floor mats leather? How does that wear?

Also, is the door sill in leather not an option? My previous Ferrari's all had this and I thought it was standard. I just noticed that no 296 has this.

 

Agreed on the too much red as well. I'll take your any day! Loving the Daytona style CF seats!