296 GTS vs. SF90 Spider

IMO- too soon. 150 cars listed on Cargurus likely means prices have to recede further (possibly a lot) to absorb supply- as this is a very expensive used car with issues. Then there’s the replacement model that’s likely to be better- causing another wave of sales and further declines. This happens with most regular production models.

Prices generally don’t go up until a car is 20- 30 years old- they just decline much more gently after they plateau. There’s just no reason for prices to increase before then outside of a pandemic event in conjunction with the government juicing the system with liquidity. In other words, don’t hold your breath.

There’s always exceptions- like the last one of its kind, etc. And- The exceptions don’t make the rule.

Cars are supposed to depreciate. We all got lucky over the last 5- 10 years. Buy for the pleasure and buy smart to minimize the expense.

Always be prepared for the next recession as that’s when the real deals show up. You don’t want to have to sell into that.

 

This is a perfect way to sum it up.

I would also add styling. The 296 is more classic Ferrari imho and the SF90 is more modern aggression.

I love both, but see above quote.

 

This is a great thread, and the comparison echos to many other car brands too.

I had a 296GTS and traded in for an SF90 Spider. Most of what has been said here is spot on, but I wanted to add one thing -- grip (AWD vs. RWD), and what your typical drive looks like. I found that most of my drives around town are 30 minutes or less. With that short amount of time, I could not get enough heat in the tires of the 296 to enjoy or take advantage of the power -- The nannies would always kick in, cutting the power, unless I turned it all off, which I didn't like to do. Whereas the SF90 could deliver the power much better with less heat.

So, while the 296 truly is almost as fast as the SF90 when tires are hot, for most of my drives (and maybe most others too??), the SF90 is MUCH faster.

 

Playfulness makes for fun and 2 wheel drive is more playful. How long does it take to warm up the tires- 10+ minutes?

On the other hand, if you have all of these cars, I get enjoying the subtleties.

 

surprising - on cooler days in denver the car would say tires are in warmup mode for almost 30 minutes even when driving it fairly hard.

Also, in comparison to the 720s, I wasn’t really happy with the traction control - it was on too much, killing power, unless you went full off.

the 720 allowed you to decide how much you let it “play” before helping out.

 

I’m also in the bind if deciding if to trade my 488 spider to an SF90 spider or a 296 GTS - my biggest plus for the 296 is the RWD- I love sliding a bit every turn and get the car to drift.

on the other hand

I love the looks of the sf90 much better - it’s more aggressive looking, just hat the thought that it would be impossible to drift it on turns.

anyone can help or correct and or add to my issue ?

 

It's all very personal.

I don't have traction issues in 50+ degree weather on 4S even in the wet on the 296 but on the road I am driving usually "only" 3RS speed except for very occasional bursts in the 296.

As a comparison:

Biggest thing I don't like about the 296 is the lack of steering feel. SF90 doesn't fix that though it's less creepily light.

I'd take SF90 over F8 even though I think F8 looks better. Sounds better stock, traction is nice, but steering is heavier than 296 but still doesn't feel like much to me. Sound is better than F8/488 to me in SF90 stock.

Back to back I kept coming back to agility and sound of 296 vs SF90. Maybe a little looks but not mostly.

If SF90 was 300k I'd get one to try then probably sell.

If ERay didn't do the stupid electric sound, have a big butt and fish lips on the side, I'd buy that instead of SF90.

If my grandmom had balls she'd be my granddad.

 

Well said. People don't always understand when I say more briefly "it never gets better..." at whatever annoys you initially.

My goal is to find cars with a few superpowers, no super kryptonite I can't live with, and that makes me want to keep driving it when it's time to go home.

 

I drove the SF90 spider and didn’t like it- not playful and engine sounded off- to the point that it bothered me. For the same money- I would still choose the 296. I buy these for the driving experience and that supersedes everything.

If you collect one of everything- I get why one might buy it as it still has phenomenal performance.

 

I have both sf90spider and 296GTB since Feb/25 - which I just traded for my GTS that just arrived. Totally different cars, 296 is way more nimble, SF90 has a lot more presence as others mentioned is way faster. I think what may have hurt sf90/spider gen speaking is the fact that 296 is plenty fast (frankly for me the best mid-engine starter car F makes) at a much lower price, and closer to the hp. SF90 is more muted vs 296, but had four wheel drive, bigger cabin space and for some arguably better overall looks? It would be a hard case for me to pick one - hope i'm making sense

 

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I accidentally left my 296 unplugged for two weeks. It started right up and had full battery. Drove it around the block a few times to make sure, and even that is so fun. I'd have to be doing crazy speeds to fill that fun quota in the sf90.