Ferrari 296 GTB Picture Thread

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Beautiful.

How are you enjoying the DB12? How does it compare to the 812? Especially when considering smiles per hour?

I’m of the opinion that the DB12 might just be the prettiest coupe out there right now. But am curious of other reasons that warrant purchasing one over the 812, if one can only afford one or the other

 

Did you ever own an Aston Martin ?

I had a few. Quality of anything you touch is far superior to Ferrari. I didn't drive the DB12, I drove an 812. I guess it will be different in many ways. Soundwise Aston is brilliant but not too much, Ferrari will be harsher and louder. Aston is stylish. BUT you should remember one think: You loose money each time you sit and smile in an Aston, you won't do this in an 812 or at least not that much.

What would I do ? I would go Aston Martin because I don't like the 812. But that is just personal taste.

 

beg to differ, in my view Aston is way inferior to 812 in terms of quality, ie DBS it a total plastic landscape and while the DB12 looks much nicer on the interior, it's all still very plasticy

 

To clarify, are you saying the Aston Martin quality if far superior to Ferrari? I’ve owned 3 Astons and my experience has been the complete opposite. On my older one the paint was bubbling after 6 months. On my 2022 Vantage the leather was bubbled and peeling in places, the hand stitches looked like the person had too many pints the night before. Maybe I got unlikely with 3 different ones but I found the quality sub-par. Now style wise, the car was gorgeous Image Unavailable, Please Login .

 

I haven’t, but am considering a DB12 as the first. I appreciate your insight greatly. Thank you

 

Agree. Aston looks stunning, drives so so, sounds meh unless older NA v12, and electronics systems are rubbish. Resale is poor.

 

I had a 2022 China Grey Vantage and my experience was similar to yours. The car was a blast for a daily driver but to insinuate that it is somehow superior to a F-Car in quality is comical.

Both of my F8 cars had all sorts of small little QC issues (dash rattles) and they were still light years better in QC than my Aston was.

 

I know I know...another Rosso Corsa Ferrari with a Nero interior. But she's mine...

Just landed at the dealer last week. 2024 Model year although I am not aware of any differences from launch year. Getting PPF and tint and then headed to my place to replace the outgoing 2022 F8.

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Thank you! It's quite the looker and, to my surprise, turns WAY more heads than my RC 458 Spider ever did. People here in the Santa Barbara area just go nuts for the DB12! Given that people barely know what it is, I was expecting the opposite. All smiles, thumbs-ups and photographs, though. One guy even *applauded* the car while crossing the street - haha!

The quality of the interior is top-notch. Almost everything is covered in leather or carbon, and most switchgear has been machined out of solid aluminum. There are a few plastic bits, mostly the buttons on the center console and steering wheel. They don't detract from the overall impression of high quality, though. The interiors of previous Astons were honestly the one reason why I'd never bought one before, whereas their new one is next-level. The tech still has some kinks to work out and there's a whole new CarPlay implementation being released later this year but, even so, the current setup is far better than Ferrari's IMO.

Driving-wise it's quite a pleasure. It's poised in corners - not too darty but I also never feel like it's lagging. The sound the motor makes is really great, although I'd personally like it to be just a tad louder (my wife 100% disagrees ). That Merc V8 rumble and its juvenile pops and burbles on overrun while in Sport+ mode put a big smile on my face, for sure. I took the car to a big parking lot yesterday for some traction control experimentation, and found the dial-able TC to be really on-point. Getting broad, fully-opposite-lock drifts out of it required nearly dialing the system off (8 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being off) and, at that level, the massive torque and poised suspension made it very fun and controllable. I felt like an 18 year old again - haha! I will say that visibility isn't as good as the 812 and, as soon as you get into a tight space, you can really sense that it's a big car.

I've only driven an 812 on one occasion for about 20min, although I'd definitely say it's sharper and louder than the DB12. The Ferrari V12 sounds incredible of course, although one could say that the "dirty" rumble of the AMG V8 is great too. So tomato, tomatoe? I'd personally give the edge to the V12. The paint quality on my DB12 was flawless, whereas we all know (and tolerate) the story with most new Ferraris. The interior of The Aston is a nicer place to be, for sure. I have no idea how it's going to age, so that's obviously TBD. Depreciation will likely be a big downside with the DB12, although I consider the smiles to be reasonable ROI. The DB12's 4 seats are a game-changer for my family and I, as our two little boys (6 and 8) have plenty of space and can now join us on our supercar adventures. Given that last point alone, if I were to have just one or the other, I'd choose the DB12. I am, however, biased at this point, so YMMV. Definitely recommend driving one and deciding for yourself!

My perfect mix would be the DB12 as a GT car, 296 GTS for weekend couple's action and my Plaid for daily driving. 2 of 3 achieved! Now if only Ferrari would hurry up and make 296s faster!

Oh, I will say that I think the carbon buckets in the DB12 are one of the sexiest seats on the market!

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Rosso Corsa - if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Congrats and enjoy the view from inside.

 

I’ve almost bought a Vanquish S about 5 times and always stopped myself. Every time I check back the prices are lower. If I was buying to hold it forever I wouldn’t care. But they just depreciate like stones.

 

Congratulations on the RC 296, great choice!


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This sounds really bad, sorry for your experiences. I had three Aston Martins and I didn't have any of those issues, whereas I had a lot of issues with my 488 GTB, that I felt annoying.

 

I also had that dash rattles a non-functioning buttons for the windows. And some other "unknown" noises while driving.
The touch and feel of the dash was quite different. But still, that is personal preference.

 

Couldn't agree more. I guess it is the "thumbs-up-factor". Never seen as many people cheering at you. This is nothing that should be a reason to buy a car, but actually it feels very nice. Nobody feels offended in comparison to an italian supercar (Lambo is even worse). No scratches to the car, the perception is a "gentlemens-car". Well, and then you might forget depreciation for a while. So if you keep the car, order one. If you do not know, go for a used one, because 50% off list price after 2-3 years is pretty normal. I know, some people will kill me, but a Ferrari in my eyes is a very fast and agile supercar. The 812 is a masterpiece V12, no question, but agile ? It is a heavy car on steroids, that can frighten you if you aren't used to it-totally different driving experience than a mid-engine V8/6.

I guess I am biased

 

Supremely insightful. I very much appreciate you taking the time to write in such depth sir!

After reading all of this, I gotta say…I’m SOLD! And the fact that the rear seats are usable as you said is definitely the icing on the cake. Have a little one myself that could squeeze a few enjoyable years in the back seat during family trips. Hope to be spreading the DB12 love soon with you fellow owners in the near future!

There definitely needs to be a DB12 Picture Thread in the “British Cars” section of the forum. Such a wonderfully sophisticated looking automobile

Edit: I also 110% agree with that perfect mix combo! Or perhaps even an 812 GTS for the weekend & spirited drives

 

Would love to see pictures of your new DB12 !!!!!!

 

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Waiting for a break in the weather in the northeast to bring this home.


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Which Blue is your new baby?

 

Blu NART.


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Congratulations!!!


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Perfection.

 

Love it well done.
Your post prompted me to place a call to my dealer regarding GTS build status.