My Early 296 Ownership Impression

It’s amazing just how good this car is. There are no weaknesses. I never thought I’d be saying this about a plug in hybrid.

 

296 is beautiful but the AF liveries are not my cup of tea (some like the red/blue press car spec are awful. Yes I know it’s historic). It’s worse on the SF90 and criminal on the 812 Comp.

 

I recently took delivery of my new 296GTB about a month ago. I have previously owned a 458 Italia and a 488GTB. The first startup I threw a limp mode error. I turned everything off and rebooted the car and the error was cleared. After about 300 miles, I threw a "Engine Failure" light. The car is now at the dealership and it appears it is a bad filter in the exhaust and I do not know yet how long it will be until it is fixed. I love how the car looks and handles, including the power and torque but I am a little concerned with reliability.

 

Sorry to read this. It's a 2025?

 

Hello, no, it is a 2024.

 

Great analysis, very helpful. I'm considering purchasing either the GTB or GTS, not sure yet though I like the little bit extra legroom that the GTB affords. The one thing that scares me a bit is that as I'm searching dealers around Los Angeles, there are probably at least 12, both GTB and GTS, for sale already. I'm wondering if the fact that the hybrid system is no to Ferrari, owner's are getting them and for whatever reason, not happy with the car. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

no it was the standard car but very nicely optioned.

 

Someone on this thread drove both the 750S and 296 back to back.
One of the great things about the 750S when it's in sport mode is the kick sensation into the back of your seat you feel when upshifting. This is achieved thru ignition cut off and gives more of an emotional experience when shifting gears. In track mode, the shifting is very smooth and linear.
Does the 296 feel anything like that in any driving mode?

 

It's actually more aggressive in my opinion in the 296 compared to McLarens, to the point where i recently asked on here if it felt aggressive to others, i thought i had broken something .
I'm still genuinely surprised they made it so aggressive

 

On the upshifts?

 

Yes, but then again my car was a Ferrari owned example, so who knows, maybe it's either broken or has some special sauce (wishful thinking)

 

I feel there’s a there there.

 

How many miles now?

 

Not on upshifts…downshifts yes. But I do have to say I didn’t notice any significant kick on upshifts in the 750s. Both upshifts felt smooth. Perhaps just unique to my experience. And Jo Sta7, you are 100% correct. I have 1,600 miles on mine, but once I hit I think 800 or so, car started sounding louder. At 1,600 it’s even louder in a good way…except no point playing music lol. I love this car. Looking forward to September to see what the SF90 replacement is all about.

 

dang that’s fast! What 296 model and spec do you have?

 

I would presume the AF would perform a little better (a little lighter). Of course, I don’t know for sure.

 

Yeah highly doubt the 30lb difference would help. But I do think the GTB with racing seats and AF all together will probably shave 0.2 sec or so. A GTS with comfort seats and no AF probably will ‘suffer’ a little more

 

I have the GTB AF with racing seats, the light weight glass and loads of other CF parts. The doors come stock CF. Must help somewhat.

 

absolutely. You have the lightest package of them all, other than the VS version.

I have the same but it’s a GTS so I’d pay a little penalty due to the added weight