In this feed I just saw the formerly banned rsguy, I cannot see what he is sprouting because I have ignored him but probably negative something about the 296 although it is confusing that he claims to have a 296 on order , yet he has never given details or hopes of a date , congratulates owners yet opines about depreciation . I wonder why some people just continually flip flop ? Perhaps it is about recall ? I may be wrong however his track record probably suggests I am not
^ another asinine post from resident stalker klrunner. Desperately trying to paint the picture that being banned for a couple of days is a rarity, exclusive solely to me, when in reality countless members have been issued a ban. Poor dude clearly can’t handle any truths about his beloved one and only 296 - be in for a very rude shock if he ever drove something that actually sounded amazing.
Love my 296--the gunfire downshifts pulling up to an intersection are epic enough that people turn to look.
Those with real world experience of the 296 get it. The overwhelming opinion here is that all is good with the exhaust note etc . Backed up by the lack of after market success in sales . Much of the criticism comes from keyboard warriors often who may only drive exotics on screen.
I adore the exhaust sound on my GTB AF and I don't understand why Ferrari hides behind the term "little V12". This sounds like an excuse for me ... but for what ? Nothing to be ashamed of. For my it's a great V6 sound, nothing more, nothing less.
Better than post 458 v8, I'd say. While I like the 296 sound more than even 458 it sounds like fewer sounds combining together harmonically to me than 458. But 488, F8, SF90 just sound blah to me both tone and no harmonics. But YouTube videos capture them all pretty well I think vs in person so people can get their own takes...
When i heard the car for the first time at an early demo, everyone generally was very impressed but i thought, meh.... Now back to back comparing exhaust sound with my 458, I kind of think wow, the 296 might make the better noise.
I agree the sound is superior to any post 458 V8. The sound actually reminds me of the 458 in a lot of ways. Pista sound was disappointing, as was the sf90. I had a friend listen to a spy clip of the 296VS, and he was blown away that he was listening to a V6.
Inside the 296 you are hearing intake manifold sounds piped into the cabin and amplified by a passive speaker. Fake. Outside the 296 it sounds like any other turbo and GPF strangled car: Like a Dyson vacuum.
I know everyone says how good 458 sounds. I've owned one and yes it gets the adrenaline going. it's loud but its also not a great sound. the older cars with their high pitch were a better v8 sound. I also thought the pista sounded good. tastes are subjective and everyone will have their opinion. But 296 is so much of a sharper car than the 458. it's more enjoyable to drive. it feels more like a go kart than 458 ever did. having said that i still love the unrestricted sound of the v8 vs. the GPF muffled sound. For what 296 has been able to accomplish i think is great. it's a very good sounding v6 given all the new regulatory restrictions.
This is good news to hear. I’m going back to a 458s again but will give the 296 a try in the next year most likely.
I've only driven one once, but that was my IMMEDIATE reaction. My 296 is delivered mid June, so I'll have more seat time soon. The way it drove, the sound, from inside, felt Speciale like to me (Haven't driven a 458 Italia in years, so just going off memories of that one.)
Fair point. Those that know my car presences say I will be disappointed mightily by the 296 sound, but in videos I have not been disappointed. Need to get some seat time for sure.
Feel compelled to comment having owned the 430, 458 and 488, putting a bunch of miles on all 3 models. These cars are always my daily driver, couldn't care less about depreciation. As I posted in other threads, I'm waiting on the delivery of my 286GTS which has been at the Port since early March, so will hopefully receive it soon. I cancelled an F8 order in favor of the 296, so that probably added to my wait time (you all know what I'm referring to), but in any case I'm glad I changed models (nothing against the F8). I'm a sound guy, I found I needed to modify the exhaust on all of my previous models, BUT, not with the 296. While true that I don't have it yet, I've got about 16 hours of driving the 296, both GTB and GTS, and to me the sound is better that all of my previous models. I do not feel the need to modify the 296 in any way, I think it's perfect "as is," IMO.
In no universe is the sounds of the 296 better than the 458. Not even close. I guess there's no way to objectively measure this so everyone can have their opinion but c'mon. I'll give you the 296 sounds very good and much better than F8 and 488 but nowhere near 458.
You're right, everyone can have their opinion, there are owners of both that go both ways, so no argument from me. Just stating my preference. I'm big into AV, build theaters in my homes and always seem to add more speakers than I probably need (average 24 speakers in most theaters, 20,000+ watts), so maybe I've affected my hearing over the years. (still prefer the 296 sound) I will say, the 458 rocks at 8500+.....
