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

Exactly, in your opinion...

 

Fast acceleration is exciting! I want to go as fast as possible from 10 to 120 (I mean 75). 500 to 600hp isn't quite enough. 700 to 800hp feels pretty much traction limited for that speed range. I'm not sure how much more benefit there is going beyond that.
Sound is of course nice. But to me sound is just a byproduct of power generation. The engine is there to make power, it's not just an sound generator.

 

Agree the engine tone is much better in the 296. Mclaren engine doesn't really sound good, just makes a lot of noise. But their turbo noise is amazing. On let off, the waste gate noise sounds like a race horse exploded.

 

To me when someone is asking if one needs more power and acceleration is akin to asking if one needs more money, the answer is always yes.

 

For my two cents, I don’t think either @amazingtrails or @rbobby are wrong. If that’s what you guys value or look for in a car, and that’s what speaks to you behind the wheel then by all means that’s the one to get. That’s the beautiful thing about having multiple options. Sound, speed, feedback, looks, etc and how we perceive them are all important (or not) to each individual at varying levels.

 

If the A/C really worked in our 355, I would drive it more often.

 

Ive expressed some opinions in this thread but bottom line is I prefer a variety of experiences when it comes to my collection of exotic cars. I also like to actually drive them a lot so it doesn’t make sense for me to buy a $500k+ car. Right now I have a Huracan Evo spyder, a 992.1 carrera 4s (daily), and a f355 spider. For my next car I’m trying to decide between a 720s, 750s, and a 296, since these cars all serve the same purpose (crazy fast twin turbos with over 700 hp). I know this is a Ferrari forum but which one should I get and why?

 

Everyone entitled to spend their money how they see fit.

 

Oh, but when I triple mortgage the house and lose it all in Vegas I'm suddenly the bad guy...

this never happened by the way (yet), just a little humor for the thread. Enjoy the day boys

 

They serve the same purpose but I think they "feel" different; so the best way to decide is to try them and select the one most enjoyed.

 

You need to go test drive the cars. I’d recommend the 750 first then the 296 in that order. You will see why

Otherwise no one can answer this for you with authority. In addition I made a similar post on McLarenlife forums and a surprisingly high number of folks either have a 720/750 with a 296 or upgrade from the former.

I still like my 750 but I have car adhd so it may get replaced but as it stands in Spyder form it’s an absolute piece of engineering. If I had the coupe I think it would have been sold by now

 

I loved my normally aspirated 458. And the steering sucked. The brakes sucked. The 296 is so much more capable. And it’s fun and sounds good. Did I tell you that it’s much more nimble? It puts its’ power down better and has a lot more of it. No sticky bits. There is literally no comparison. You can keep your old inferior cars. Enjoy the back catalog.

 

Isnt the 458 what Clarkson called 'the best sports car ever made?' And the steering and brakes sucked?

 

The 488 has the brakes of the 458 Speciale (hopefully better than those of the 458 Italia) and in OEM form they definitely suck.
Full disclosure : I have a 488 (but I upgraded the brakes when it was time to replace them) and a 550 (a manual NA V12 then).
A 296 AF could eventually tempt me if prices continue to fall

 

I have a 296gts but kept my 458. I drove them back to back and I could not see parting with the 458. Sure, a 13 year old car is not as fast or sharp but man is it fun to drive. Two very different experiences.

 

I agree. Here’s my take, which is probably different than most. I think big HP makes more sense on the street vs track. On track, grip and downforce rule. 500 HP big downforce car on slicks will beat 900 HP low downforce car on street rubbers. But on the road, we experience acceleration in bursts. It’s not about pushing flat out all the time. I want that push back in the seat from 50-150 on an open stretch. Anything under 10 seconds for that metric feels fun and the lower the better (296 is right at 8 seconds is my testing). The 500 hp car is going to be much less exciting for this cause, even if it sounds good.

 

There's got to be more to it though right? Under this logic the car of choice would be a Tesla Model S Plaid.

 

I cannot agree more. On the road that's mainly how I safely enjoy these cars, in short straight line bursts. If you take that rush away, it becomes somewhat pointless for me. A gt3 might set the same lap time on the track, but 99% of the time I'm not on the track.

 

Haha spoken by a true car enthusiast (NOT)

 

Yes! that’s why I keep saying sound is as important as speed. Open top even better. Nothing better than accelerating fast with the wind in your hair and the NA engine roaring in your ears.

 

Good point. I tried to talk my wife into getting a plaid as a "family" car, but she said no. I've only driven the s performance. I think the model s is lacking in exotic looks, high end luxury finishes, and handling. I feel like just because you can go fast in that car doesn't mean you should. I don't feel safe driving it the way I drive my ferrari, it's way too heavy. It won't stop and turn in time, likely end up in a disaster.
If someone manage to make a light weight electric roaster with high end finishes for less money, I would be interested. Should be easier to maintain too.

 

Of course there is more to it. We’re comparing sports car to sports car here so both will have proper and fun handling, etc. I actually think the new Plaid would be pretty sweet, but not for me. I just don’t like the cars.

 

I was in your shoes just a few months ago. It was between a 296 or a 720/750. My decision was easier because I've never had a ferrari before and already have a mclaren. I agree with @supershaft that you should try 750 first and then 296. I went back and drove the 750s recently and believe I made the right choice on 296 for sure, but that's subject to confirmation bias.

 

There is not an insignificant difference between needing more money and wanting more money. The answer is not always "yes" to the former, even though it might be for the latter.

 

I feel the same way. I think straight line speed is only one small aspect of a car. It used to be the realm of only the exotic but not anymore.