Most people seem to collect the VS- not actually drive them. The regular production cars are the one’s to use. So one needs both. LOL On the other hand, are most Ferrari buyers just collectors, not drivers?
There are 273 models of 296 for sale right now starting at $299k, that’s not counting all the 296s that dealers have in the back that they can’t advertise. Let’s not sugar coat it, the secondary market on 296 is a disaster and the are more deliveries at inflated msrps every day which will get added to the pile. This is about as far from a collectible car as one could imagine. Most of the 296 owners that I’m friends with that have sold or trying to sell their cars, say the car is a rocket, but driving it is forgettable and the haptic controls infuriating.
I've owned 2 corvette's, Acura NSX 2nd Gen, McLaren Artura and several BMWs. Driving the 296 is the same amount of fun as the McLaren but sounds way better. And more fun then every other. Haptic controls are fine after a couple of days of getting used to them. I don't mind at all. And I'm an owner of a 296. Also drove a C8 Z06 with Z07 package and I realize now that "on paper" vs actual driving is a big difference. I would take a used Artura all day over the Z06.
Drive forgettable? Ridiculous. I can’t wait to drive it. I have had (and still have) numerous great sports cars. This is unquestionably the best- IMO. Haptics get more responsive with use- at least that’s my experience. Are they great… no. Are they a deal breaker- absolutely not. The car is a go cart and makes my 812GTS feel comparatively old. Love my 812 but the car I want to drive is the 296.
Awesome, glad to came across your post. Z06 is that bad? On Paper it is like 458+, I want one and it is on my list for addition for this year (Z06, Artura, 296, 3 different price ranges), all 3 at current price or lower I can not overlook and got me very excited, cars is an addiction. I had 2nd gen NSXs as well (17, 19, 22 Type S), and 2 Gen 1s, Kinda weird as NSX was kinda boring and slow from roll, then everytime I sell I miss the instant torque and end up going back again, then got caught in the 22 Type S hype. 1st time MSRP, 2nd time way below MSRP, 3rd time should had been avoided as paid massive over MSRP (ADM almost price of used C8 Z06). Kinda crazy how far hybrid tech have came since gen 2 NSX, gen 2 is still very good and paved the way. Hybrid system on 296 and SF90 is just hybrid system been perfected, true ev mode, ICE doesn't come on easily in hybrid mode like NSX. As far as on paper vs actual driving, absolutely true, I regret of picking up 992 Turbo S, on paper it is invincible and extremely hyped, in actual real life, it is amazing as well nearly live up to the hype but with one deadly flaw that kinda ruined it, super sluggish off the line on everyday driving (outside of that it is fine), I would take Artura over it if I could do it again and use difference on a manual GR Supra. Kinda odd that I find haptic control easy to use after a day, 3 months of daily driving with SF90, completely different than what internet expert says, never even accidentally activated voice control even once. Changing station or volume is just like F8 two physical switches behind the steering wheel on each side, Scrolling through menu is way easier press up or down with touch pad than using a turning knob on F8/488 both I had. Better than my Tesla plaid york steering wheel touch pad turn signal, horn, etc. The voice command button is on right side of steeing wheel on Tesla, Ferrari on left. I can't even accidentally press it on either car unless I want to intentally activate it. I guess if internet expert said so, they must be correct.
My friends include @Caeruleus11 one of the greatest fchatters here and one of the most prominent collectors in the world and he too thought the drives in the 296 were forgettable and has posted as much so don’t mind repeating it. But for everyone that loves the car I’m thrilled for you, enjoy in the best of health.
Very kind of you, thanks. By the way, Roma is definitely in the category he mentioned for me. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I think we are all on our own individual journeys, especially when it comes to something like Ferrari. If I was earlier in my Ferrari experience, Id say the 296 was incredible and all this talk was idiotic, but as I have been very fortunate to be around Ferrari for some time, I am (hopefully understandably) a bit jaded, and (admittedly) spoiled by whats come in the past, for me, its just so refined, that I just dont really remember the experience of the drive, and, thus, by that metric, it is forgettable. With that said, Im not going to argue with someone else who thinks the car is just super awesome. I know they’ve done an amazing job with the 296, but it just doesn’t grab me the same way as a car like the 812, even if the 296 handles better, I am someone who first and foremost reacts to the interaction with the engine. I do think if the Speciale adds a bit more spice/ drama, then it will be truly amazing. I wish they could keep making NA cars, but the world changes.
True. I find the refinement refreshing- a car so capable directly hardwired to my brain. The small size harks back to when sports cars felt like go carts- except the limits are so high along with the quality of the materials and fit and finish (yesteryear was a comparative joke). The 296 is both exciting and entertaining- to me. It’s personal- the trade offs we prefer in cars. I own different cars because they excel in different ways. The 296 is my favorite and that doesn’t take away from what the others offer.
That last sentence makes no sense to me. The car is definitely a rocket and definitely not forgettable. I don't understand how a rocket can be forgettable. The haptic controls are manageable after some patience and practice.
I DD my 296, haptics are perfectly fine and the car is incredible to drive, like a go kart on steroids, it doesn’t have the explosive in gear acceleration of the SF90, listening to the internet experts I thought they were just as fast, that’s not true, nevertheless I absolutely love it, whomever says this car is boring has not been behind the steering wheel more than 5 minutes around the block or is simply jaded. I am so bored with car forums where everyone is an expert with the greatest majority just regurgitating what they’ve heard online having zero hands on experience, in the past when cars was much scarcer it was easier to veto BS artists now its very hard and it’s getting tiresome. It’s getting increasingly difficult to discern the BS from the truth and with so much negativity the joy is being sucked out of most interactions, I search for accurate feedback and all I can find is the same pile of steaming BS in most threads. Is there a way to possibly “blue check mark” genuine first hand experience commentators from BS artists? There must be a way with AI in play now Rant over, I am going for another forgettable drive in my 296 LOL.
For what its worth the 296 GTS is my first Ferrari but I agree with those that love the car on this thread. I have found it to be an excellent car to daily and the haptics are no issue for me. My last 3 daily cars 2nd Gen R8 -> 992 GT3 Touring -> 296 GTS. The 296 blows the former out of the water in speed, ride quality, refinement and fun factor.
Each to their own and as we all know opinions are like mouths , everyone has one. There will be differing ones and once someone knows yours there is not much point in harping on about it
Supercars are judged by their imperfections as much as their attributes. Sometimes the imperfections are attributes in disguise discovered over years or even decades- the 930 off throttle oversteer, the 458 mustache (still not sure about that one), Lamborghini over the top styling etc. All those cars would bite you given the opportunity. It added excitement to each drive ie memorable. All the ither idiosyncrasies were secondary to the feeling of excitement, whoosh, smoke, sound and fury. Supercars now are so close to perfection we find ourselves nitpicking. Maybe our expectations have gotten too high, along with the prices. Pick the car you can nitpick the least and get the most enjoyment out of. Yes it’s an expensive hobby, but the journey is the end to a means.
