My Early 296 Ownership Impression

I used to say the same thing about 10 cars ago which is not even 3-4 years. Something better will come along. It might be Ferrari it might be Lamborghini (jk not really) or McLaren. I also just like being able to try whatever new comes along.

I echo your sentiments on the McLaren but I still feel like the steering and suspension is better on the 750 but the 296 is more fun overall.

 

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Not purple. More like dark blue. Very bright tones and deep tones - sunlight or dark. Aptly named. This color was featured on the $4 million LaFerrari. Fairly rare.

 

I would note the color on the LaFerrari is the original Blu Elettrico, the 2020 is darker and more like a super version of Blu TDF. (Both are super nice choices, I think the 2020 suits the GTB/GTS a little better)

 

You're right. Since the LaFerrari was built before 2020, it would have been the 4-layer version. I believe the 2020 is 2-layer. Not reflected in the price - $37K. Not sure what they got for the 4-layer. But to me - when I look at the various images of the LaFerrari, it seems almost exactly like the color on mine. I saw a car with the TDF at the dealership and didn't like it as much. I'm not even sure they offer the non-2020 version - they didn't mention it when I was building mine.

 

Your color is definitely more vibrant than Blu TDF.

They still do make the original color as well, which will read as a bit lighter and even more dynamic.

 

I really would like a blue Ferrari next as I haven’t had one. So many to choose.

 

Blu Abu Dhabi is a very nice Blue and not very common.

 

Yes there was a Ferrari owner here on the east coast I think who loved Blu Abu Dhabi; he ordered it twice in a row on new cars.

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That’s the color of our 812! I had to do a double take!

But we did blue calipers…

 

Blue Arabian looks insane. I also saw a color called Blu Carolina which looks amazing.

I drove about 60 miles in my non blue car today. So enamored. Perhaps I just keep that. It’s a special thing, this 296.

 

No matter what color they are - 296 and SF90 owners represent the third generation of Ferrari aficionados. First gen was the naturally aspirated 12 cylinder gang. 2nd gen was the turbo charged 8 and 12 cylinder gang and the newest gen are the hybrid 6 and 8 cylinder gang. We don't always have to have red cars, we don't need to wake the neighbors when we start the car and exit the neighborhood, and we don't need to buy gas if we keep all our trips under 15 miles. Here's to the 3rd Geners!!

 

So true on all accounts. I would also add that the 3rd gen might actually listen to the stereo sometimes because the engine gives you the option to do so.

 

Also - these suckers are among the fastest cars off the line! Possible neck injuries.

 

The 296 is the first car where I can play the music loud and still hear the engine- while both sound good- at the same time. What a car.

 

I guess I’m all three generations. F355, 812SF (Gen1) Portofino M (Gen2) 296GTS (Gen3) 12C (Gen uh, 1?)

Haha!

 

Hard to call the 12C Gen 1. If they get rid of the hybrids, maybe thinking they made a mistake, converting the new E Building to strictly 12C cars and going back to their roots is Gen 4? Or maybe the 12C is still technically Gen 3 because of all the advancements, but less multi-faceted than the hybrid models? Seems to be a situation where they are trying to stay true with some part of their line to the Gen 1ers. Same conundrum for the Purosangue. Don't want to completely lose the diehards But the Amalfi is definitely Gen 2.

 

Ferrari is not getting rid of the hybrids because it is not a mistake. The 296 is a revelation because the performance, sound and entertainment are off the charts. People are uncomfortable with change. FUD. Progress moves forward Ferrari is leading the way.

 

Did Gen 2 start with the 308?

 

Depends on the definition. If we are using turbocharging as the defining line, the 1982 208 GTB Turbo, was designed to circumvent a luxury tax in Italy on engines over 2.0 liters. It used a 1,991 cc V8 engine with a single turbocharger, which allowed it to achieve performance comparable to larger engines despite its smaller displacement. But if we are using emotions and current fan base as the definition, I'm thinking Gen2 started when they introduced turbocharging over the more traditional naturally aspirated line. The line of current turbocharged models began in 2014 with the California T. So I guess anything prior to that would be Gen 1. Everything after that before the 296 and SF90 would be Gen 2. The factory 308 was naturally aspirated so still Gen1. I think Gen2 started with the California T in 2014 followed by the 488 in 2015.

 

I'm reading this thread and seeing just how much GTB/S owners rave about this car. I've driven one twice.

I've only owned my F8 Tributo for 4 months, have already driven about 1400 miles on it (all weekend fun miles), and as much as I love it, I'm tempted to trade in for a 296 GTB. There are plenty low mileage examples available now and the price is quite compelling......

 

a low mileage GTB at significant discount is a no brainer to be honest. The only problem? Too much fun to push hard and two speeding tickets. One I did Traffic School, the second one I've got a lawyer LOL.

 

Yes- This makes more sense.

 

Man I'm in court supervision for 3 months till Jan 20 (for 2 tickets for using a phone while driving) and have to pick up my new-to-me 296 from Jax to bring home to Longboat in 10 days. It'ss going to take every ounce of my patience to stay within reason

 

I just completed 120 day court supervision and a class last month after getting a ticket in my M8 Competition. I was hauling a$$, cop caught me when I was already slowing down. I was going 100 in a 45 but by the time she caught me I was going 63, so 18 over. If only she knew.

M8 is wicked fast but still way slower than my F8. I'm being really careful myself these days

 

They can scan the radar backwards!! I saw him parked at the shoulder and by the time I was next to him I was doing 65. He said I was doing 92 but cited me for 80. The sequential downshift noises from 92 to 65 didn’t help either.