My Early 296 Ownership Impression

Dcher · Apr 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM

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.

Chill47 · May 1, 2025 at 12:58 AM

dustman said: ↑

Would like the performance bits but the paint scheme is more questionable than anything Lambo is criticized for with “gold chain wearing” nonsense comments.
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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.

brobin · May 1, 2025 at 8:46 AM

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.

rg88 · May 1, 2025 at 10:06 AM

brobin said: ↑

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.
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Sorry to read this. It's a 2025?

brobin · May 1, 2025 at 1:11 PM

rg88 said: ↑

Sorry to read this. It's a 2025?
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Hello, no, it is a 2024.

Fiorano3551982 · May 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM

Jo Sta7 said: ↑

Ok all, here's my take so far on the 296.

Pros:

1. Change of direction is incredible. Best I've ever experienced. The short wheel base and super direct steering create something that's truly all time, world class great. Makes 765 feel lazy by comparison.
2. Car is magic carpet ride smooth with bumpy road mode activated. It's my most comfortable car, period, with BRM on.
3. Sound has a GREAT tone. But it's a bit muted overall. If it was 10% louder, it'd be perfect. Hello exhaust and high flow cats. If I keep the car, I'll make that mod. Z06 has ruined me right now for sound. It sounds better than 765 but less raw and loud. Personal preference which is better, I guess.
4. Acceleration is strong! But it's more linear and you can tell Ferrari limits the torque in the lower gears unlike Mclaren which gives full torque in third. It doesn't have that wide eyed, oh ****, acceleration feeling of the 765.
5. Traction control is spectacular. Car barely spins. Just goes. Ferrari nailed it. Confidence inspiring to the max.
6. I know it's brake by wire but they've worked some magic with brake feel (albeit synthetic).
7. Fit and finish is phenomenal. Car feels tight and very well built.

Cons:
1. Seating position. I want the seat two inches lower. If you have a long torso I really don't think you can fit in the car. I also want the seat rake adjusted to be more reclined. It's too upright.
2. Throttle and brake pedal are too close together. I understand on the Mclaren why they are (carbon tub) but don't get why on this car. My Z06 Vette has perfect pedal position.
3. Gear paddle action isn't good. It's too clicky.

Neither pro nor con:
1. Steering wheel haptics don't bother me at all. I think it's cool and it's responsive. Maybe it's gotten better over time.
2. I like the digital dash and all the information it shows. I'm good with the future direction that's going. It would antiquated to keep the center rev counter, I think. But I can see it being a big deal to some. Personal preference there.

So, this or 765? Well, as a car, this 296 is superior. It's more beautifully made. It has a greater breadth of capability. The ability to be full electric is really cool. It has a go-kart feel like the 765, even better change of direction, but less scary due to the greater traction control. But as an experience, 765 ALL day. 765 feels like it grows directly out of your hands and feet. It's synaptic. And it's truly scary, brutally quick. The Ferrari feels like a car that's engineered to be so great. The complexity is perfectly hidden. The extra mass is countered with electrons and computers to make it dance. The Mclaren feels unfiltered. Light, raw, rattly, and brutally effective. I think they're great compliments to each other. I can see some people preferring the 296 over the 765 especially as a road trip car. But if you're looking for an adrenaline filled fun machine, it's the 765, no question.

But perhaps that's unfair since the 765 is a 296 VS competitor. Would I have the 296 over a 750S? Yes, yes I would.
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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.

Jo Sta7 · May 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM

Fiorano3551982 said: ↑

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.
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I don’t think it’s traditional Ferrari owners dumping them. The car is very expensive new and people got in thinking they’d make money. When market changed, they dumped. The car is incredible. If you’re a buyer who’s very price sensitive, buy something that they aren’t making anymore. Makes the value more predictable. If you want the best driving mid engined Ferrari I’ve ever driven, definitely go for it.

Dcher · May 2, 2025 at 10:49 AM

Ignite said: ↑

That is amazing - was it an asseto fiorano? Mine was a 24 with MSRP of 470 and I purchased for 370 a few months ago. I was happy with that!
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no it was the standard car but very nicely optioned.

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