CPO 458 Spider with low miles is close-ish to the price of the lowest 296 GTB’s….what do you do?
For driving experience- the 296 destroys the 458 in every way except engine sound. Yet- The 296 engine sound is very good so net/ net- the 296 for the easy win. I have owned both and the 296 is worlds better overall. Not even close.
totally disagree. 458 makes 296 feel like a video game. the sound and looks of 458 are not negotiable, and perfect amount of HP for street.
I don't know - I went from 458 to 296 and have no regrets. Much improved chassis - suspension, damping, brake feel, and steering is all significantly better resolved than 458, leading to a much more confident car to push (particularly under braking). Sound is maybe a bit worse but not by much. Interior is much higher quality. It's just a better car to drive and a better place to spend time in. To me, 458 felt a bit like an unhappy medium where it is new enough to be fairly computerized (lots of screens, lots of buttons) but at an age where many of those systems are feeling pretty outdated. Versus, say, a 996/7 GT3 or an F430, where there's a lot less digitization overall and an inherent simplicity to the controls. Maybe I'd feel differently about a Speciale and how raw it is, but that's also a very different price point.
Everyone's different but I do use the word videogame re: 296 steering and I own one (and owned a 458 last year and still drive a friend's occasionally). My #1 296 critique would be that to me the steering feels like a video game. Despite the amazing agility. #2 would be haptics though I like the displays actually. But the 458 started feeling a bit big and even though the 458 is "fast enough" for me, I actually I find I have more fun going 30-60 in the 296 than in the 458. And I like the sound of 296 better even though it's more monotone, but have other options that are even more "overtone" y than 458.
Interesting. To me- the two weakest points of the 458 are its steering (no feel and hyper active) and its breaks- not the best and failed a number of times during my ownership.
Biggest complain about the 296 is I need to stop to refuel every few days. PITA! Oh and the the thing called ODO the numbers keep rising for some reason??
To me the 296 is even more numb (I can sort of feel the front end at heavy lock) but then Lusso, F12, 812, 458, 488, F8 all sort of feel eletricy and more numb despite being sensitive and twitchy. In the Ferrari world Scud is the main thing I'm looking at for this year besides 296 VS, though I think it could be a long shot to get steering feel or at least weight on it.
Video game might be the best description I've heard of the 296. I only have about 90 minutes of seat time in the 296 compared to 16-17k miles in the 458 but the 296 didn't feel real. It felt like a video game (a really fun video game mind you). That is you could do about anything you wanted. I mashed on the pedal like an idiot and no loss of traction or upset chassis or anything. I love the looks of the 458 although I can see a bit of age but that's not bad. I never liked the 296gtb looks but the gts I think is pretty. In a modern way.
There is a 2022 296 with 1,500 miles and a clean carfax (haven’t investigated this) for 279k. That’s one hell of a price but it’s some independent dealer and no options plate listed so tread carefully.
To answer this more directly.. I did just this. I sold my 2014 458 Spider (ordered new) and purchased a slightly used 296 AF for a little more- with three years warranty. I couldn’t be more happy with this exchange.
where? I'm not sure I would get one without a CPO but thats an interesting price. 100K off sticker seems pretty compelling
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-Ferrari-296-GTB-d3240?px8324=p2&cgcid=14597&cgagid=33017837&sourceContext=USED&ax8324=173985997&type=GoogleAdWordsSearch&kw=cargurus%20296%20gtb&matchtype=b&ad=678335979762&placement=&networktype=g&device=c&devicemodel=&adposition=&physloc=9004204&intloc=&aceid=&cid=2058119990&agid=155778140838&tgtid=kwd-2231360645922&fid=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCROWJGRTjHPJji-TCF5zqjobu72mWO6PBJLHDQOPgxlcci0DPSl-zkaAuLlEALw_wcB#listing=412559793/NONE/DEFAULT
Mods please remove this if not allowed. I’m not affiliated with any dealer, just trying to help members out with info. https://www.ovmotorcars.com/vehicle-details/2022-ferrari-296-gtb-296-gtb-coupe-f870f8ff03054ddcb194cad5f59f487a
Because I don’t fit comfortably in the car, I don’t like the haptics on the wheel and I have no interest in a car that I need to plug-in. The car is objectively fantastic to drive and is an absolute rocket so I’m not disputing that. I’m just not excited about it. I also find all the modes complicated and fiddly.
To answer this more directly… You can pay for Ferrari to inspect and then purchase a two year extended warranty that is the exact same as the original warranty.
thats what I thought too, but I think they charge you up the wazoo to do it and full freight of the warranty. seems like dealers discount the warranty when you purchase something in their inventory probably brings this 296 a bit closer to where other 296s are at dealers
Bianco interior with no leather extension package on the lower dash etc . Good luck keeping that presentable if the car is not in a showroom !
