My Early 296 Ownership Impression

Rear visibility in the STO? You almost can't see anything because of the engine cover.

If you guys are looking for a good V10 Lamborghini I recommend the Tecnica, it's their best version, fantastic car, I like it much better than the STO, now if you want something crazier go for the Sterrato, if you have access to a dirt track, ice or snow it's the most exciting thing on 4 wheels LOL

Based on my experience I would rate them as follows: Performante - Tecnica - Steratto - STO - EVO.

 

Thanks.

I thought 4RS was too loud initially but it keeps growing on me. Partly because the 25 I have rides a LOT better than 991.2 2RS and 3RS, and partly because I view it as a rowdy car and Scud/EVO alt, not daily ish. I actually went back to 991.2 3RS from 992 because while it's certainly a better handling car, I am not a fan of the sound (unpopular, I know). I would take 3RS over 4RS if I could only have 1 though.

296 sounds great and is nimble and more than fast enough out of corners or anywhere for me, just don't like the video game feeling steering. Maybe the VS will be better? V12 Ferraris definitely more harmonic but the ones I've driven, all non-specials, feel heavy to me. Evora/Emira pretty good sounding, great steering feel mid engines but while I think 3RS, Scud, 458 are usually "fast enough", the Lotus is quick but not really fast.

Which leaves me on a low-grade search for 1 mid-engine complement to 296, 4RS, and Evora GT for an A-A car, that sounds great and has better steering feel. So many people like Lamborghini and/or McLaren that I will try and prob buy 1 of Revuelto and STO again, maybe some prior gen Lamborghini, and 620R/600LT/675LT as well. Maybe Z06 w/ Z07 but C8 Z06 without was great and a helluva bargain but not quite above the bar, very good but felt a bit big and not super raw. And if none of them really work then probably Scud as an A-A car.

No time, garage space, or really drive time if I owned them to buy 1 of each right now though.

Thanks again for your takes.

 

I thought actually could squint out the back of the STO - not good but not nothing. Better maybe than in the Sterrato if I remember right?

On the track the Performante seemed to feel heavier (not heavier just not as extra sharp) and a bit less steering feel in the front end than the STO, but maybe that was the dynamics of the particular Speed Vegas cars? I have an offer to try Performante so I should give that a shot.

 

You are right the Performante feels heavier and the steering is not as sharp but it's less sanitised than the STO and I like the fact that is AWD and I can drive it hard in all conditions, it also sounds better to my ears, the STO has the best steering in the entire Lamborghini lineup IMO but it's not as raw as the Performante and that's why I prefer the Performante.

 

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A bit off topic but I vividly recall driving the Perf Spyder from Santa Barbara all the way up thru Big Sur to Carmel. Spine tingling, smile inducing memory that beckons even to this day. The exhaust wail and cracks off the cliff walls. Endless left-right sweepers. And every now and then just enough room to go flat out. Sigh.

 

There is…check the handbook that comes with the car. I believe it was about 680 miles or something like that.

 

I sold my 4RS for reasons you mentioned. It did not feel as good as my manual GT3 and was not a great road car. I too am getting old. LOL What’s your opinion of the sound of the SF90 engine? I find think it’s possibly the worst of any supercar.

 

And THAT, my friends, is the advantage that comes with 700 less lbs. Imagine, for a moment, that McLaren would (could?) extend this generation one additional model. A 800 LT, with a tuned up V8 TT, accomplishing 850-900+ hp would be THE car everyone would want. It’s a shame we won’t get to see where this lineage could have gone.

 

Isn’t the 296 closer to 3700lbs wet and the 765LT closer to 3000lbs wet? And that makes sense about the engine. It could very well have been maxed out.

By the way, I do feel tons of shame. Thanks for reminding me.

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I don’t know.. 1. Turbo lag, 2. Sound, 3. Looks- I’ve never been a fan.

I would still consider one because of all the positives- just not my first choice.

 

I'm going to say something stupid and will probably get flamed for it, but I don't think the 765LT (or the 7xx chassis) needs more power, or can even handle it.

 

IDK if I agree with that. My 765LT put it down very well as opposed to a bunch of high HP/TQ cars that can be unruly.
When reviewers talk about “it was lightspeed quick!”, thats how I felt. Similar to the 918, it hooks and is relentless. No time to think clearly kind of quick. I bet owners get used to it and can manage even better. I couldn’t!
JoSta7 has far more seat time than I do.

 

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Just watched this morning. It would be the last one I’d get, but I have driven only the 918. super quick, but I have to say Porsche bland/boring.

 

I actually like the sound of the SF90, to me the car is like a “silent assassin” and the sound is inline with that feel, I don’t want it to sound loud and obnoxious I have other cars for that, I do like the deep bassy rumble and the turbo spools sound you get but my car is a Spider, I mostly drive it with the roof down and I can put the rear window down I am sure in a coupe it will be a bit quieter.

Another added bonus, in today’s society when everyone started to hate on sports cars etc. at least where I live, having an obnoxiously loud sports car attracts too much attention and negativity and detracts from my ability to enjoy it so having a quieter car works perfectly fine for me.

 

I know exactly what you are talking about, the Performante is my go to Giro/road rally car, the sound reverberating off a rocky cliff face is just something else every car enthusiast should experience it at least once in their life

 

I wasn’t referring to the volume of the sound but to the quality of the sound. And if you like it- I’ll leave it at that. TY!

 

I like the way it sounds, to me it’s perfectly suited to the characteristics of the car.

 

In thinking about Ferrari choices, in addition to a Scud, it might be worth checking out a Pista. The steering is a little slower, a little better feel. The sound is the weak point. I actually put an exhaust on mine and it's much much better. I think in your lineup a Scud might give you a little more variety.

 

The definition of luck is "where preparation meets opportunity". You can have the opportunity and not be prepared or, alternatively, be prepared but never have the opportunity. "Luck" happens only when both are present. See how that works?

 

Driving the 296 is addictive--the sound, the insane rush of power, the speed, the feel, the smell of the leather---epic experience.