488 vs F8 Tributo

Have you driven the 296 or you just dislike it because it’s a hybrid? I don’t own a 296 and just passed on a Speciale which was probably a mistake but I did drive the 296 extensively at Corsa pilota and I must say it’s one of the most impressive cars I’ve ever driven. I’d also bet 99% of people wouldn’t know it’s a hybrid if they weren’t told. Ive owned an F8 and I own a Pista And can honestly say the 296 is an exceptional car.

 

couldn't agree more

 

The 296 is a great driving car, and I have warmed up somewhat to the looks; but personally I don’t think it’s “great” looking Ferrari . Main reason I have not purchased one, even though my dealer has baited me with a 296 Special allocation if I took one of their customer declined 296s.

 

Me ?

If so yes many times. At no stage have I referred to the 296 as not impressive. To me its a Hybrid. Full stop. I would never own a 800 k in AUD a hybrid. Maybe a Toyota but even then i have no interest. To me a Ferrari is ICE.

So lets get it write . Is the 296 a powerful impressive car yes. Would I ever consider one ? NO , NEVER , NADA.

Happy that you have a Pista. Frankly unless Ferrari go back to only ICE ( wont happen ) it will be the last car mid engine that Ferrari got it 100% right.

 

Curious, do you think you could actually tell the difference purely from driving a hybrid or are you saying psychologically you’re just not interested? I’m really trying to understand peoples disdain for hybrids. I don’t really get it if you love the way its drives. I understand if it’s psychological. Personally I don’t think I could tell the difference. Esthetics are another story. I’m with @Dicecal. I hated the look of the 296 but its def grown on me. Was offered a Speciale as well if I took a 296 that wasn’t purchased from the original buyer who specced it but id have to trade either my pista or 812 GTS and I couldn’t bring myself to part with either.

 

Using your words , my distain for a hybrid is associated with hyper cars.

Its the engine , the heart . Its what makes all the brands different.

Add a battery and all that uniqueness goes.

So it can go faster , so what. How fast do you really want to go ?

296 well lets say they did a engine only , shaped closer to the speciale with no battery , it will sell out .

BTW analyse it for yourself you cannot part the PISTA or the 812 GTS , WHY ? They are awesome machines ! You have the 8 and the 12.

I am sad they I wasnt allowed to upgrade the 488GTB to the Pista , really pissed off.

 

I said the same thing about the 296. If they made the same exact car but without the hybrid stuff in it, I would order tomorrow! The other day, I jokingly said to the salesman to contact Ferrari headquarters and tell them to make that car because they would sell a TON of them! I think they should call it the "Dino edition"
For me, I don't mind the electric assist, I mind the complication of it. It's almost guaranteed to have issues if you keep it long enough. even with low miles and perfect maintenance. And we all know that it is super expensive to repair (I think the dealer said it was about $30k on that car if I'm remembering correctly).
That's something I want no part of, and I feel that the newest Ferrari I would want at this time would be a F8.

 

Ferrari died when the F8 and the 812GTS stopped production. That was the end.

Although, I still just bought more RACE stock 2 days ago..... mostly because I'm not very smart and hopeful Ferrari turns it around.

 

They said plastic pipes are as good as copper and what has happened 1000's of homes have to be redone.

I know that 75 year old Ferrari exist. I HIGHLY DOUBT that any of these hybrids will be around in 75 years time.

I would rather my grandson inherit a 32 year old 488GTB than a 28 year old 296 GTB

 

At least the 12 cylindre has no hybrid.

Ferrari will need poor sales like Porsche to turn around.

 

I would take a 296 over a 12C. 12C sound is more subdued than the 296 and while I don’t LOVE the 296 design, I far prefer it to the 12C.

 

Truncated is the best way to describe the 296. It looks like it needed to be a few inches longer. I also don’t like the design of the back. Can’t deny the performance, but just like you I would be very wary of owning one outside of warranty. Also going forward it seems like Ferrari is gonna make a lot of hybrids and eventually all electric. So the 296 will be one of many hybrid creations whereas the F8 and the 488 will be the last of the truly analog internal combustion engines Ferraris.

 

Back to the original question; when it was time for me to return to Ferrari ownership a year ago, I was certain I was going to buy a 488 Spider, It is by far the biggest bargain in the supercar world, seriously under valued and underrated.
However, once I sat in a few (I drove one when they first came out) and then saw the F8's interior, I just much preferred the subtle improvements, like the classic round air vents, the smaller and rounder steering wheel and even the more modern typeface on the writing and the rectangular LEDs on the steering wheel versus the rather old fashioned round dots in the 488's.

To drive, it is better to think of the F8 as a Pista Touring.
Don't forget, it is 40kg lighter and 50hp more powerful than a 488, quite a difference.

I do agree about the slatted Lexan, it makes rear vision a joke, but that's one of a few reasons why you should buy a Spider!

Here in the UK, F8s have held their value much better than 488s, but aren't actually appreciating. Yet.
However one of the reasons I chose an F8 over a Pista is I put some miles on my cars and would have been more hesitant to do that in a Pista.
But pretty irrelevant as I don't intend to ever sell my F8. It WAS the last ICE V8 and the last model before digital dashes, haptics and ADAS. It's a keeper.

 

Finally getting back into it! So I just bought an 2023 F8. Excited, and my history is F430,Lambo Gallardo, 458, Huracan, Aventador, 488 Spider, Lamb Perf Spider, 2018 GT3, 2023 GT3, and now an F8.

SO one disappointing issue is the F8 sound...but I haven't driven one yet. I've always wanted it, and was waiting for prices to drop since 2020! This will be an interesting deal. The previous owner is an "entrepreneur" who is in legal trouble and has a large legal bill to pay. The broker says he will buy it back from me in 6 months if he doesn't go to jail. But if he does, then I'll just be stuck with a Ferrari I don't need. I was trying to be practical , and was looking at Vettes, but I just know I won't be excited the Vette. And did fairly decent with some investments in the market. Decided to trim a little off the table. Anyways excited to own a Ferrari once again. Kinda miss it.

 

Hi Grand Dad! ;-)

 

I've never owned either, but have been lucky enough to do several hundred miles in a handful of examples of both cars, as well as a 488 Pista and 296 GTS.

F8 is the sweet spot, IMO. 488 GTBs are great for $100k less than the F8 Tributo and a fantastic way to get into the brand. Pista is definitely the best but it'd be hard for me to go for a Pista over an F8 Tributo given their respective market prices, currently.

I'm probably in the minority, but I think the 296 GTB will be the used car bargain of a lifetime if prices continue to go the way they are. No idea where they'll eventually bottom out, but a 296 GTB with the 2026 steering wheel under $250k is an outrageous value proposition, in my opinion, and they're already getting there I've seen non-AF cars at Ferrari dealers in the high, high 200s. My one complaint is I didn't like how small the cabin in the GTS was, but I'm also 6' 1".

 

I'm 6'4" closer to 6'5" and I pried myself into a 296 and my legs are in the steering wheel and head would hit the hard metal surface of the interior roof where the side window goes when rolled up. At the dealership event over half the guys were not comfortable to fit in the 296. Sad!
F8 is the sweet spot....looks, performance like a Pista and last of mid engine non-hybrid. Plus tall and big guys fit!

 

Yep - if it were up to me right now, I'd buy myself an F8.

Actually... as I say it out loud, I'd probably buy an F12 over any other Ferrari sub-$450k. But, no reason to needlessly convolute the discussion.