Just looking for any advice, thoughts, opinions…. An opportunity came up for a 296 GTB, in a spec it love. (‘23, 390k sticker) As I don’t want to lay out any cash at this point….I’d have to make a trade …my 22 Roma + my 15 458 Italia. Could see some money back my way, not sure on that yet. Would you do it? Thanks for any input
Well to my way of thinking the 458 is a keeper and the others in the equation are transient transportation. Also in Canada at least the 296 market is very soft with lots of overpriced dealer stock but little activity. The GTB market will continue to suffer as current owners receive their new 296 GTS...
If this is the 458 posted on TRF I would wait. 296 market is going one way right now (gtb’s will keep hitting the market as the GTS’s roll out), and if you daily’ish the Roma, not sure the 296 will fill that gap. And I say this as someone who loves the 296 and will buy one next summer. Just got my portofino m so want to enjoy that this summer. 296 can wait.
One car (specially at the price of a 296) is not necessarily better, but considering this particular sample (Roma, 458 and 296) I would definitely say yes. The Roma is very good as a daily driver, but unless one has unlimited resources, it's rather a waste; a far cheaper car can provide a similar service for a fraction of the cost. The 458 is worshiped by the owners who don't want to move on, but as a mid-engine sports car it's now really outdated (particularly performance-wise). On the other hand the 296 is the current state-of-the-art mid-engine sports car - it's even difficult to see what the next step could be, the more powerful SF90 may be faster but it's more difficult to understand and enjoy (in my opinion) whereas the 296 could be viewed as a far, far, far better 458.
i'd base the decision off performance, if you are finding the 458 too slow on the road/track then go for the 296 as it's much faster - would be losing so much versitility in losing the roma too though
FWIW, I have a 296 and a 458. I took the 458 for a run on Sunday - first time since I got the 296. Ten years older but much more engaging and much more fun. I'd not swap mine. Had to re-calibrate on braking points a bit though!
