Is 296 GTB supposed to be F8 replacement?

I first thought it is all gimmick. Then i went to see the car and read the brochure someone posted here, and i was sold to the concept (hopefully they deliver) .

The problem with modern car is that 99% of the people wants all the gadgets and comfort (NVH) and the consequent is weight . There are example of manufacture producing light weight fun to drive car but then the market trash them. Like Lotus Elise and Alfa Romeo 4C, their sales is nothing compared to Boxster.

I currently own both 4C and 718 Spyder, while the media had trashed the 4c, the Spyder is no where near what journalist claim to be in terms of fun and handling. Will be keeping the 4c if it turns out 296 isn't what I expected.

 

Aside from both being Italian and both being cars I can’t think of much that the 4C and 296 have in common. Also, embarrassingly the 1/5 the price 4C is the one with the carbon monocoque. I want to have a 296 but I’ll reserve final judgement and purchasing decisions until after a test drive.

 

I surely hope the SF90 isn't the replacement to the 812, so I would agree we should see something there. I left out the SF90 because I noted that 'In January' as I understand orders will be closed out before EOY for that.[/quote]

True, but this is still a 296.

I could be wrong, but it just seems to me like something more is coming.

 

I think a lot of people are in this boat right here. Waiting for either the (a) Test Drive or (b) The technology to flush itself out (or, of course, a combination of the two).

 

Meanwhile Ferrari closes the order books on the F8 and 812 as people are beating the doors down to get them.

 

people are trying to buy every exotic right now, these aren’t normal times. They closed the books because they hit (or probably exceeded) max orders vs. how many cars they can actually produce.

The dealers begged them to extend F8 production, and the factory said no. Just like every automaker, they have a roadmap for production. That affects their suppliers for parts and every other aspect of building cars, and these things are planned years in advance. Then you have factors such as emissions laws coming up as well.

Like it or not, the world is marching forward. I have a feeling that the 296 is an extremely important car for Ferrari, and just like many others I have concerns.

 

I've noted this too. Dealers wanted to extend F8 Production because a lost F8 sale doesn't necessarily translate into a 296GTB sale. I think a lot more people are on the fence with regards to the 296 than what Ferrari realizes.

That said, if this is the line you want, you'll need to order a 296 ... that's the only option out there.

 

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Okay, it was me who was intrigued by that "fun to drive" pitch. FWIW my wife says the same thing: it's odd to her that Ferrari has to say their car is really fun to drive, because you would have assumed they all are. I have posted several times that after about 90 mins in three F8 drives, including nearly 50 miles of urban adventure on the last one, I still wasn't persuaded by the F8. Fast - oh yeah. Capable for sure. I got it moving around a bit. I totally love the looks. But the F8 wasn't $375k in "fun" to me.

You've probably seen my posts saying the same about the California T, Roma and 488. They never sparked that excitement. It's not lost on me that $350-400k a massive amount of money by many measurements, more than a typical family's primary asset, so I feel like the tradeoff has to work - even with the completely screwed up relative modern exotic and fashion costs.

 

Agreed on all accounts. I feel Ferrari is losing the plot


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2022 GT3 Manual is by all accounts what I'm "looking for" in a sports car. But then trying to order one is kind of a joke. They basically have you sit with the salesman, do a configuration, and then write a letter to Santa that maybe in 2-3 years he will consider to let you ACTUALLY order one. Maybe I'm too cynical but making a profile and getting a configurator code seems like fantasy.

So a couple of weeks later I end up back at Ferrari giving them money. And then Ferrari gives me a piece of paper and a waitlist spot in the app. It is something at least. It might be backwards but my thought is if I don't enjoy the 296 then I will try and trade for a Speciale.

 

But for the price of a 296 u get a 360CS which is FUN to drive [emoji23]


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... but is very slow, no matter how you look at it. There is always a trade-off.

 

Very slow? Want to drive my fiat500 ? It’s very slow yet super fun.


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By the time the cars are actually being delivered, 18+ months in USA, the prices will be higher than what is currently known. Price is actually set when the car enters the country at the distributor, not before. Prices known now are merely guidance, will be higher once the car is received.

 

It seems pretty clear that all new models will only be hybrid (excluding limited editions), hopefully they will continue non-assisted V12, and looks like no more V8s

 

The FUV will be next year, 812 (F167) 18months later (end of 2023 reveal) or so based on various rumors

 

No kidding, currently only (30) 812SF listed on Autotrader, year ago it was 100...

 

@ryalex

I think the "fun to drive" slogan is for new prospects, not as much for current owners of the brand; I think the pitch is to help persuade newcomers to the brand to engage the brand as Ferrari probably knows its current customer base is not so excited by hybrids in general...

 

Prediction: By the time your 296 arrives, I expect the value of the Speciale to be twice the price of your 296...and that's if you can even find one for sale (i.e. thinking 2 years from now)

 

My dealer told me that the base price of a 296 will be about $50K m0re than the base price of the F8. But of course that is just a guesstimate. I think "fun to drive" was an old slogan for MGB's.........

 

Irony is my sons gt86 is “fun to drive”…seriously. A great little piece of kit for 30kish USD. With that said, and I know clarkson said this years ago, I wish the 296 had been a NA V6 that was 30% smaller and lighter. A true Dino replacement. I continue to wish for one even though I do not believe one is on the horizon. I will check out the 296 and may very well order but not necessarily the car I was personally hoping for….still love the looks of the F8 and have enjoyed my time behind the wheel on loan/test driving. Interesting times but I am still a fan to the core.

 

I had heard from my dealer that they did consider a non hybrid lighter version slotted below the GTB. Maybe if enough people ask, they’ll build it. No chance of NA though!

 

Yup, most likely. The Speciale is a great car. My issue however is that 458S does feel dated when compared to todays cars, steering wheel feels too big, and I know this is crazy but it’s too slow for a limited use, special occasions car. You grow accustomed to the speed and above 100 it putters out. My first 458 felt so much faster to me 6 years ago then my most recent 458 did.

The 765 has never ever grown boring. Each time you floor it, the car is shockingly fast. I think it’s about the perfect limited drive car.

 

I also think you have to consider the fact these cars are designed to be relevant to the market many years into the future- so its possible we don’t fully understand/ appreciate it yet. Or its just not to our tastes. All of us are (hopefully!!) only getting older. Yet the age of the average Ferrari customer has come down by some 10 years over the past 10-15 years.

Lets drive these cars and then decide what we think- though, until then, speculating is great fun!


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lol. I wonder if tfazio (tom) knew that?!?