Long drive today!!! I don’t understand what’s happening with this car?

296 still sounds really good to me, feels super agile, super fast.

But in terms of dislikes that I know of, ordered by my personal priority. I agree with A)-D) below and I still bought a used one, ordered a new one to replace it, and hope to get a Speciale.

A) Steering

But the steering feels like nothing and to me that's its biggest weakness.

I went 4RS, 991.2 3RS, Evora GT, 296 today and I enjoyed the 296 and instantly felt like I could move around the road so freely. At the same time as the steering felt like nothing - like it controlled the chassis but not the actual front wheels. I know others that don't like that feeling of disconnection. I still don't 1500 miles and 20 driving days later in 296. But then I try Z06, new NSX, and even 750S and I wouldn't take them over 296. If I didn't have a 296 it'd be tough vs 750S but still would take 296 on sound, little extra agility, little more linear power.

B) Haptics

Display is cool but UI sucks. How many people can really say they enjoy adjusting the mirrors? Really? Can live with it but it's annoying. Then again Audi/Porsche full of fingerprints on piano black and screen is pretty nasty just not as dangerous while driving.

C) Warranty cost

I think it could be $12-15k/year long term - they haven't even released Power15 price, you can only buy bumper-bumper warranty extensions as far as I know.

D) Reliability

Lots of minor issues per capita from talking to owners. Minor gremlins, things that need looking at. Maybe 24/25s are better as most I talk to have 22/23.

E) Cabin size

Some people feel cramped/don't fit.

F) Having to tend
Some people can't easily get a tender plugged in and some dealers are telling folks not to tend the 296 12v, which makes it hard for people who can't get a socket near parking to say plug in a tender to a UPS while away for a while.

G) Hybrid

Some people just don't like hybrids on principle or because of reasons.

H) Never driven

Some people just never drove a 296. If more had maybe the market would be better.

I) Ferarri dealer games

Probably not a major issue at this point with the 296 but some stay away from the brand (Ferrari not unique here, prob affects Porsche GT cars even more).

 

I'd say GT4, GT4RS, 991/992 GT3/RS, 991 GT2RS all somehow give a sense of front wheels and road even w EPS and 296 is super far from it. Lotus Evora or Emira with sport suspension even better actual hydraulic. So I keep some of those as alternatives even though going back to back makes them feel a bit sluggish...

25% drop maybe just not enough people have tried 296s. But I understood the market dynamic when I bought and assumed it could be a $200k car in 2-3 years AND that warranty could cost $15k/year (real worst case but seems not impossible).

Enjoy driving it!

 

its just different experiences for me, I'm waiting to get into a preowned 296 but I did test drive one for a bit and at the $300K mark its a really really compelling option for those looking at a 911 TTS or something similar.

to me the biggest difference is its probably a lot easier to do a road trip in a 911 vs the 296..

 

The 296 depreciation is transient, at least until all the speculators sell their cars. The Ferraristi know that this is the best entry car Ferrari has made thus far.It is heads and shoulders above the prior mid engine models IMHO.

 

The 296 is indeed very good, and from some point of view, the best.
There are some factors against its valuation though:
- increased production may have exceeded the real demand for such a car (resulting in a lasting oversupply)
- reliability remains a question mark; most probably the issues are not more frequent than on older cars but they are (at least preceived as) more difficult to solve
- in constant money, prices have continuously increased and they could have reached a limit (of course there is no question there are enough people able to pay even more than what's asked, but there always needs to be a balance between price and desirability).
Regarding potential oversupply, owners receiving their 296 Speciale and offloading their GTB / GTS will not help the supply/demand balance in the short / medium term.
On the other hand, the new Ferraris becoming always more expensive may support the used cars market.

 

Your comment about the auto racing to a higher gear is so true! My McLaren holds in lower gears when in sport or track. Have to go into manual with the Ferrari but what a great experience that is!

 

I think the 296 is perfect for someone that is coming from Porsche.

Not sure about that.

It's certainly the best in 2025. Best all time, not in my opinion.

 

I find with the extra hybrid torque and maybe a bit faster hunting down, the auto in the 296 is less bad than 458, 488, and Lusso, but it's just progressed from "only good enough to shift while taking a drink" to sort of usable in non spirited driving but not predictive or enjoyable.

Ironically I'd say G99 M5 on max transmission mode may be the best and better than most Porsches in Sport+ (stock). It seems to know when I want to hold the gear, though it doesn't always hunt down in corners or when slowing down quite as much some of the best.

 

I had a chance to take an extended test drive in a 296 GTS AF this last weekend (my previous and only drive was in pretty cold, crappy weather). I drove to the test drive in my 720S. I find the steering comments interesting because I was actually impressed by the steering in the 296, it felt very precise. I agree that there's less feel than in a hydraulic system like my mac, where you feel directly connected form wheel to front tires, but I think it's very good for an electronic system. I contrast that to my GT4 Clubsport which feels numb on the track. I would take the steering in my former Cayman S race car over the Clubsport anyday for track driving and racing. So anyway, just my 2 cents. Now I wish they would just make the friggin car so I can get it!!!

 

Interesting re Mac/Clubsport.

In the dry I eventually stop hating the lack of feel on 296 because I can just feel through the chassis and am just amazed how agile and good a package the rest of the car is. But in the wet so far it inhibits my ability to be as confident, at least for now. I don't think the Speciale will "fix" the steering for me but I am hopeful.

Last month I drove 675LT, GTS, Artura Spider, 620R, and 750S back to back in the dry, on P0 (I am trying to find a McLaren to try owning). It was another city so not back to back with 296 or others I have. Some were more agile than others, all could feel a bit of load up, but none of the racks felt as good as Lotus Evora or even really 991 3RS or 4RS but the 620R. But I'm focusing on LT/R vs maybe Scud as an add.

But then, they also had a 981 GT4 on Cup2s and I got in that and just ripped it and the steering felt really good. But I don't track, this is all < 80 mph with lane changes and some twisties on back roads.

BTW if you like your 720S but want more agile/precise steering like 296, 750S was impressively close to 296 and better than I remember 720S being, hard to compare precisely to 296 because P0 vs 4S on 296 and not back to back, but felt close. 750S also felt like less lag vs 720S I remember and more controllable when boost comes on, and same speed class as 296.

 

Well, I have literally brand new PS4S on the Mac vs. the dealer demo car (not sure what tires were). That certainly makes a difference. I love my 720 and tbh, the visual difference in and out of cockpit to the 750 don't feel like it's worth upgrading to me. My 720 has never been on track nor will it and neither will my 296. Probably will wait for the 750 replacement to look at upgrading the Mac though. However I have decided to keep it once the 296 arrives. They serve the same purpose but I love the Mac too much to let it go.

 

I had a Evora 400, the handling is just too awesome to forget. The new emira with AMG turbo went with electric handling and it sucks ass with obvious dead space in the middle. Can't compare the 296 steering to either Evora gt or Porsche 4rs. Closest I feel is 750s for it's hydraulic steering

 

How many GT2RS are out there? My local dealer has 7 used 296's on their lot. It is by far the most represented pre-owned model they have.

 

Can you say "honeymoon period"?

Glad you're enjoying your new prancing horse, Paul.

 

I'd agree Emira isn't quite as good but Emira/Sport suspension/Cup2 seems like it's within 10% of my Evora GT. With the touring suspension it's not even close. I just killed my order for Emira auto though because of the manufacturing pause and because frankly the Dakar and 991 3RS -wing, with DSC and sofas are better, and more under the radar, and Emira looks nice but prefer the Evora for not trying to look like a Ferrari.

 

Just my 02, first congrats and don't worry about what others think, only your own opinion matters.

1. The stock market dropped quite a bit between 3rd week of FEB to mid April before the massive rebound. That caused good chunk of people be cautious. Not to mention housing market also weakened quite a bit. I remember in 08~09 there was window of opportunity to buy cars at insane prices, so was small window of opportunity during peak uncertainty period of covid Jan/Feb/March of 2020. While global financial market has bounce back nicely and wealth transfer event has took place. Once the tariff pause is over, it is unknown if situation will turn 180 again causing one more massive dip in a few months.

2. People have not tried hybrid supercars. Most just throw their 02s without owning one. They might have test drove it, even an extrended test drive doesn't tell the whole story vs owning one. Kinda like Iphone initially, many were non believers. Remember EVs as point A to B car? in early days people didn't want to try, now many families have 1 or 2 or 3 EVs. Take 992.2 Turbo S for example, on Rennlist, felt like 90% of people already put off by it before car is even officially unveiled, I daily drove 992.1 Turbo S up until FEB this year. I can absolutely see 992.2 GTS style hybrid can fix its only flaw. Lack of instant responds off the line when launch control not used, it is a very sluggish off the line, easily .25 second to .5 second pause.

3. Lack of presence, I think it looks awesome on the road especially following it from behind, beautiful, flat, stunning, and classy. But when parked at least to me just lacks presence, it gives a small car vibe like 570S. Where 458/488/F8 looks more mid size as something in between Huracan and Aventador in term of size visually.

4. Last of its kind hype and fear of missing out. F8 is last ICE, 458 is last of NA.

5. Model cycle, each time after a special model is announced, the regular model owner trade or sell ahead of time in preparation of taking delivery of special model, been like that since 360 CS. Market eventually absorb it. On Autotrader there are 172 listing for 296, some listing will never sell at those wild prices, and bottom 10%~20% tend to move faster. If suddenly 20 to 50 people in US decided they want one tomorrow, inventory firm up rapidly, which absolutely can happen if economy looks less uncertain.

Car performance really leapfroged in the past decade or so, especially more so after 720S set the bench mark all the way back in late 2017. Thank god for Mclaren pushing the performance envelope. As previous F8 Tributo owner, F8 just looks better, outside of that 296 is superior in everyway. We have had a few years of wild overly inflated pricing. A lot of cars seem pretty attractive with relatively little risk now. 296 in low $300k is hard to overlook.

 

I think first of all alot of coupe owners sold their cars for the Spider. Then, alot of people aren't familiar with hybrids. Wait another 2 years from now and I am sure this will change. Today you won't be able to buy a new Lambo without a hybrid system (if not a SUV). So in a few year the lack of a choice will raise prices again. I just saw a nice youtube video, there it was explained about the prices. Interesting , for those who are interested:

 

Jump on that $300k 296 and forget the Panzerwagen.

 

A 296 and 911 TTS aren't in the same realm of experience.