TRADE MY 296 / BUY TURBO S 2026

OK. Listen up before I get bombarded from different angles here. I am seriously asking this question to get intelligent feedback. the difference in my monthly payment on my 296 as compared to a nicely specced Turbo S992.2 will be roughly $1000 more on the 296…. so it’s not a significant amount…. my concern is that we know that through history a Turbo S depreciate a lot less than what this 296 has been doing in the market because I have a big concern of further depreciation on the 296 and that honestly has me very concerned,…. so do I opt for this trade or do I stick it out with the 296 and yes I do like the 296 alot…. is it bleeding gonna stop on the value of these 296 ?

 

Which car do you enjoy driving more?

Figure that out, and buy (or keep) that one.

Choosing a car based on resale is basically buying the car for the next buyer. Why would you do that? That next buyer probably doesn't even know you, and could care less about you.

Buy the car, and you'll never really about the deal. Buy the deal, and you'll never really enjoy the car.

 

i would keep my 296 for many years.. and as i previously mentioned ny concern with further massive depreciation . i am not in a position to see my car go from a 595msrp ( i paid 390k a few months ago ) to 250k as an example

 

the new hybrid turbo s is super expensive from new and i'd expect it to lose a bit

the thing about the turbo s imo is it's a treat car and the kind of thing you know you'll lose money on but if you've just had a nice bonus at work or came into money you think "fk it"

as an ownership experience there's nothing quite like it though imo as you get so much less hassle than driving other exotics but they drive insanely well

 

You will regret, the new T-Hybrid 911 is the most boring sounding 911 I have ever driven. I have a 911 Targa 4 GTS, I don't even want to drive it at all.

 

The new Turbo has hasn't been released, how could you have experienced it? The Targa 4GTS is great car but its not special, nice driving DD that IMO looks very nice. There will definitely be more of an occasion driving the 296 or many Ferrari but it depends on how you use it.

 

oh wow, not good!

 

It's the same T-Hybrid technology used on the new GTS, I know it has one more turbo, but it's a similar experience. Watch the Nurburgring lap videos, it sounds boring.

One thing I agree with you is the new 911s look pretty good, that's probably the reason why I still keep it.

 

I have driven neither yet. But, I have an F8 as well as 911TTS Cab. The ride/drive in the F8 is really better IMO than the 911. However, the 911 flies under the radar which is nice. It also has more passenger leg room which means my bride much prefers to ride in it than the F8.

The F8 is leaving for a 296GTS. The 911 will stay - no compelling reason to trade for a new one, although I think it will be fantastic.

If this is a DD, pick the one you feel most comfortable in.
If it is an occasional drive, get the one that you love the most.
If the decision is purely financial, get the one you can afford with no regrets. Both will be fantastic.

That’s my thoughts. Free of Charge and worth every penny you spent on them!

 

I would 100% keep the Ferrari. Consider the price increases from porsche, Turbos will be $300k+....that makes ZERO sense.

 

How do you think the first owner felt, lol.

Sounds like you got a hell of a deal on this car, benefited like crazy because of the depreciation, but now you want it to stop abruptly. It may drop more; no one knows for certain. You have an amazing car. My suggestion is that if you love the car and can afford to keep it, you should.

 

Ya you’re asking people to predict the future

 

I just sold my 911 Targa GTS4 to get a 2nd 296. The depreciation will soften as the supply falls off. Eventually- the market will realize how great these cars and the FUD regarding hybrids will lift. So- I am betting that it will be fine.

Note: The new turbos s is a hybrid (which may change the resale value equation). Turbocharged 911’s are great cars but have become more like appliances and they don’t sound anywhere near as good as the 296, interior isn’t as nice- nor as much fun to drive.

 

I have a TTS cab coming, I'll definitely put an exhaust on it if the sound isn't there

 

That’s exactly how I felt- so I sold it for a 2nd 296.

 

Yes, I almost feel it's criminal to sell a car that sounds this boring for $300,000+. Why not just get a Tesla Model S Plaid...

 

So you got a car for $200k under sticker that you are making payments on and you are worried about deprecation moving forward so your plan is to trade in the already depreciated car for a new car that you will make payments on in hopes that you will incur less depreciation this way (and apparently have not taken into consideration transaction costs). My advice is to start doing cartwheels that you got a car at such a discount and drive the absolute crap out of it.

 

Going rate on a 3 year old Turbo S coupe is in the low 2s, call it ~$215k. A new one with options, probably ~$330-350k. So in 3 years, let's say you lose $125k on it. The question becomes - do you think the 296 is worth more than 265k (the same dollar value of depreciation) in 3 years? And, if it ends up being less (let's say $250k), is that extra $5k a year truly a make or break for you?

I picked an arbitrary timeline and rough swagged the math, but you get a sense of the framing. Turbos aren't GT3s, they depreciate pretty hard by 911 standards (991 TTS is a sub-$100k car these days) - maybe less overall than 296, but given where you got in on the 296 depreciation curve, my guess is that it ends up being a wash or close to it in the near to medium term. Drive the cars you enjoy, and if you don't enjoy it, get something else.

 

How many miles on your 296?

 

I think we are beating a dead horse at this point, but what does the Turbo S do better than the 296, anyway? Considering it will also depreciate, what are you getting out of it that the 296 doesn't offer? Not performance or sound. Slightly more storage space perhaps, but not enough to make the jump, and you didn't mention its a problem.

If you mentioned something like a Performante, which is in the price range, has held its value, and offers incredible sound, the discussion is perhaps different. Not trying to tell you to go this way, and I would still keep the 296, but at least there is a completely different car on the table with a different historical market direction.

 

. thats a wise response thanks.

 

I agree with your statement regarding the Performante. I have had a Performante for the past 7 years and it is worth about 10K more that I paid after having driven 13K miles. Turns out to be one of the best car investments I have made. Great NA 10 cylinder engine with incredible exhaust note. The driving experience is very raw but it has incredible grip and cornering with the AWD. It turns out I bought my first Ferrari this winter (2024, 296GTB with 300 miles). I am in love with this car. The build quality, performance and appearance inside and out are spectacular. I never thought I would say this but I am considering selling the Performante since I am not really driving it after buying the 296.

 

so you have the assetto fiorano

 

No buti put cup R2 tires onthe 296 that really improve grip.

 

I owned a 992 turbo s. Best daily sports car on the market, but it is boring compared to an exotic. I used my turbo s to take my kids to school and car events. My Ferrari is used on the weekends for canyon carving. I’d get a GT2 RS over a turbo s if you want something a bit more exciting and will hold its value. Also good luck in getting a 992.2 turbo S without paying ADM and waiting nearly two years.