From V12 to Hybrid: My First Week with the Ferrari 296 GTB (and McLaren 720S Comparison) | FerrariChat
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From V12 to Hybrid: My First Week with the Ferrari 296 GTB (and McLaren 720S Comparison)

Discussion in '296' started by Ouds83, Oct 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM.

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  1. Ouds83

    Ouds83 Karting

    Mar 14, 2020
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    #1 Ouds83, Oct 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
    Hi everyone,

    Just picked up my 296 GTB on Monday after trading in my GTC4Lusso V12.

    I’ll start by saying the V12 sounded absolutely phenomenal — there’s really nothing quite like it, and I do miss that soundtrack. But the 296 is simply a more exciting and engaging car to drive. The handling is on another level, and after living with the Lusso for a while, I’d grown a bit tired of its “grand tourer” feel — beautiful car, but a bit boat-like in the corners.

    Now, I’ve added the 296 alongside my McLaren 720S Spider. I know some might say they’re too similar to own at the same time, but honestly, I don’t mind. I love the 720S and was curious how Ferrari’s new generation of mid-engined hybrids stacked up — so I decided to make the jump.

    Picked the car up in Minnesota and drove straight home to Chicago. Since Monday, it’s basically been my daily driver — already put about 1,000 miles on it.

    My first impression was that the 720S felt leagues ahead — lighter, more visceral, and with a better soundtrack. But as I’ve spent more time in the 296, it’s really grown on me. The build quality and interior are in another league, and the car feels far more solidly put together (to be fair, the McLaren is four years older). The 296 has this perfect blend of refinement and excitement that really makes it special.

    At this point, I don’t think I could give up either — they’re different enough to appreciate for what each does best.

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  2. rmlovett1

    rmlovett1 Formula Junior
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    #2 rmlovett1, Oct 4, 2025 at 6:50 AM
    Well done! Congratulations on the 296! 720 and 296 are stellar vehicles!
     
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  3. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
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    #3 Caeruleus11, Oct 4, 2025 at 8:17 AM
    Congratulations! Really nice pair.
     
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  4. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Veteran
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    #4 Jo Sta7, Oct 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
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  5. SMSD

    SMSD Karting
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    #5 SMSD, Oct 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
    Nice. I’m about four months out on my GTS.
     
  6. Petrolhead#32

    Petrolhead#32 Formula Junior
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    #6 Petrolhead#32, Oct 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
    I own a 296 GTS since Feb this year, put on 6k miles on it, and a ML 600 LT since 2022 and I've done 15k miles on it - many of those at the track. If you own just one of them you're already a tremendously lucky bastard. To own the two... automotive paradise! Enjoy!
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  7. Ouds83

    Ouds83 Karting

    Mar 14, 2020
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    Chicago
    #7 Ouds83, Oct 4, 2025 at 7:55 PM

    Amazing photos!
    Love the miles you’re putting on them!
    I daily drive my cars, 100 miles round trip to work. annoying drive, but having a blast in these amazing machines.
     
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  8. Petrolhead#32

    Petrolhead#32 Formula Junior
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    #8 Petrolhead#32, Oct 5, 2025 at 12:44 AM
    Agreed! Good for you! They're both (720 and 296) perfectly ok to me for daily driving and commutes, especially the 296 with the EV mode. The 600LT... a bit too much to DD... :)
     
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  9. rbobby

    rbobby Karting

    Aug 13, 2014
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    #9 rbobby, Oct 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM
    Hello! My brother from another mother. My mclaren just took a 3+ week vacation at the mechanic. I drove the 296 almost everyday and the more I drive it, the more I like it.
    When the mclaren came back, my first impression was also that it's more engaging to drive in some respects, but I think largely because it's a spider. What I noticed most though is how sluggish the transmission felt when not pushing hard. I know the 720s is better in that respect but how do you find it? I also think the 296 is much better put together and the powertrain is best in the business. The shift is so crisp, instant, fun, and drama free.
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  10. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Veteran
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    #10 Jo Sta7, Oct 5, 2025 at 12:32 PM
    Funny how ahead of its time the 12C was. Still enjoyable among the epic 296.

    I don’t have any recent 720 time but the transmission in the 765 is better, for me, than the 296. Shifts are quicker and more aggressive. More engaging overall. And the gearbox kicks down instantly and more aggressively (gear wise). For example, if you floor it in the 296 in 7th it will kick to 4th. In the 765 it will go from 7th to 3rd or 2nd. Effectively eliminates the turbo lag.
     
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  11. x z8

    x z8 Formula 3

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    #11 x z8, Oct 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
    Why would you drive a high performance car in automatic in 7th gear? I guess- if you’re with your wife. :)

    There is a natural trade off with a track focused car and a road focused car. They can be both highly focused at opposites.
     
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  12. supershaft

    supershaft Rookie
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    #12 supershaft, Oct 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    The 296 is such a phenomenal car that if my 750 wasn’t a spider I would’ve sold it already. The 750 in spider form is probably the best bang for the buck every day supercar
     
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  13. ipsedixit

    ipsedixit Formula 3

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    #13 ipsedixit, Oct 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
    Even more than a 296 GTS?
     
  14. supershaft

    supershaft Rookie
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    #14 supershaft, Oct 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
    given how quiet the 296 is I don’t think the gts would help its own case much. However I haven’t had an opportunity to drive one so I’m happy to be proven wrong.
     

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