The Intercooler

Great comparison and some beautiful photos here: Kill the King: Ferrari 296 GTB v McLaren 750S
https://www.the-intercooler.com/library/driven/kill-the-king-ferrari-296-gtb-v-mclaren-750s/

 

It's behind a pay wall.

 

Interesting article for sure, especially as a 720 owner. Closer than I expected to be honest, but haven't had much time behind the wheel of the 296. Guess we will see when the car arrives someday and I trade the 720. Seems like at a minimum, I won't regret the switch. FWIW, looking at the 720 vs 750 photos, I continue to think McLaren made the car look not all that different for the worse.

 

It had my interest enough to pay to get through the wall. LOL.

 

dang can't afford the article. can you give us the conclusion?

 

The cars are basically equal in performance....The Mac gets the nod in being sharper and more focused for handling, but a bit more "brutish". Ferrari sounds better and easier to live with, despite "numb" steering. Ferrari wins by a hair and based on personal preference and the fact that neither car will ever reach the performance limits on roads, Ferrari easier to live with. Ferrari drivetrain gets high marks vs. Mac that has lag despite being more powerful and generating more torque. For anything more, you will have to pay me for the Cliff Notes. LOL

 

I love how the V-6 sounds, but I’m pleasantly surprised they said it sounds better than the 750s.

 

I was a bit surprised to be honest. My personal feeling is different. I love to put down the rear window in my 720 to listen to engine even on days when it's too cold to put down the top. On my demo ride in the 296 I did the same. To me the turbo sounds on 296 are way more pronounced and resembled a vacuum cleaner. Would love more time in the 296 when it arrives to see how it is with top down.

 

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/comparison/2024/mclaren-750s-vs-ferrari-296-gtb/

Some of the guys on McLaren Life are losing their minds over this article!
They’re literally like children throwing a temper tantrum. Reminds me of a lot of Tesla owners.

 

Us McLaren owners are an ornery lot...

 

I had the good fortune to have been driven by the author of the article in the McLaren: the noise was loud but monotone, by comparison the Ferrari js far more tuneful and varied.

 

I have to agree.

The Ricardo V8s in Mclarens sounds industrial; it just makes noise.

The V8s in the Ferrari (and now the V6) are sonorous. There's a rhythm to the noise, which makes it sound better.

 

McLaren design is neither pretty nor subtle.

 

I've owned several McLaren cars now. I find their styling very polarizing but in a good way. I love their performance (when they're not at the shop) but the QC is still obnoxiously lacking compared to Ferrari or Lamborghini. I'd actually put it behind Aston's current lineup as well in terms of fit/finish.

A used 750s will be a good buy in a couple years after the depreciation takes hold.

 

I don't know about Ferrari / Lamborghini as I haven't owned one yet, but I would agree. I haven't had major issues with my 720S or 570S before it, but my Aston is definitely a higher level of fit/finish.

FWIW, not to jinx myself, but the Aston has been pretty darned trouble free for the almost 9 years and 17,000 miles on it. If it stays that way, I will probably keep it forever. Because for all the debate about whether the Ferrari or the McLaren sounds better in this thread, neither can compare to that NA V-12 sound on the Aston....

 

The Aston V12 (esp. in the Vanquish) is one of the great automotive sounds. Certainly much more visceral than my old 550 Maranello …

 

A bit off topic, But what model Aston would you choose if you were get a new/newer one? I’m becoming more interested in Astons, but I don’t yet know the brand.

 

DM Sent.