I just got back from an hour test drive in a 296gtb. This does not count as ownership and it’s a limited drive but I’d thought I offer a few thoughts here and look for comments. I drove my 458 a half hour to the dealership, drove the 269gtb for a little over an hour and drove a half hour back in the 458. I drove a 296gts when I put my deposit down (two years ago or so?) and should have mine in about 6 months. I forgot what it felt like to drive and was getting cold feet so my SA set me up with a long drive where I got to get on a bit. Not thoroughly wring it out but did get after it some. My first takeaway was how incredibly smooth it was. I drove primarily with the manitino in sport and the checkered flag selected. The SA let me mash it at will, I mean slamming on full power, and it laid it down no problem and did not break traction. The power delivery was much more linear then I had thought and was seemingly available from anywhere in the rev range or at least the rev ranges I found myself in. Shifts were lighting and never seemed to upset the chassis even when this driver shifted mid corner for some reason. The handling was incredibly tight and it felt like a small car. I didn’t get the opportunity to get too aggressive in the corners but get some mid-speed sweepers and tight s-turns so about as good as one could hope for on a test drive. The second takeaway was that it sounded much better than I thought it would. Nowhere near the 458 but still very respectable in this day and age (even if somewhat synthetic with the hot tubs). I’m 6’2” and I had plenty of head room with the comfort seats. The seating position was fine and haptics were not as terrible as made out. I’d rather have simplicity but they were not that big of deal. The finish could have used a bit more leather frankly as this car was a bit light on options. Driving home the 458 felt aged but not in a bad way. It showed its personality and charm for sure. It just really gave you an idea of the advancements of the last ten years. I am not sure what to make of all this but I would say the 296 is incredibly refined, does many things very well and is a joy to drive.
If you want more leather you can spec the extra leather below the dash line and spec the leather headliner. With these options you are left with a little alcantara at the bottom of the doors and behind the door handles These are relatively cheap options in Ferrari terms. If you are not at 10R there is still time to get it done
Thank you. I was unclear. I got the leather headliner and back and dash in mine. The demo car didn't have it.
@3POINT8 Great write up! Thanks for sharing your experience and I’m happy that you will be getting yours shortly. Stay well.
Absolutely. I am not sure I offered anything new but I always enjoy this write ups so I thought I would pass it on and look forward to any comments or feedback.
Thank you for all writes ups! I sold my 2018 488 GTB and was between 296 GTB and 750S Im not brand loyalist had many different cars from Gt3s , TTS , Ms and AMGs I end up picking up 2024 750s that shoud be arrving Today . I do miss my 488 already Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
296: Incredible Ferrari. Haptics are annoying- and they get easier to navigate quickly. Of course they cannot be used while driving. On the other hand, a number of these set can be changed by voice.
Been playing around with PS on the 296. First run will spin a lot. But by the 3rd on the same surface the computers have worked things out and the cars absolutely fires off. Really cool system.
Two days of ownership here in a 296 GTB AF. Very impressive. Maybe the best all around sports car I have ever driven or own (been driving sports cars since 1980). On the downside- I haven’t been able to adjust the right mirror. Very underrated and incorrectly maligned. Makes for a great buy on the secondary market. I am thrilled.
Came over from an Artura 2 days ago and i must say that the 296 is AMAZING, The power delivery, the suspension is comfy, and the exhaust? There's no way Ferrari added that much pops and burbles from the factory Only annoying thing is that the 12v outlet seems to be the larger variation, so my radar detector doesn't fit
Newbie owner question. I understand why someone would drive in electric mode. I do not understand why someone would drive in hybrid or performance if qualifying has better performance and charges the battery to full. Can someone explain when/ why they would drive in hybrid or performance over qualify? TY!
Do you always run at break-neck speed when you go out for a run? Probably not. Most of the time you're jogging, or running at a fast but sustainable pace. You only go full "Michael Johnson" when you have to.
This is an occasion car for me. Preferably, I’m driving the car (not sightseeing)- why wouldn’t I want the best performance it offers? I didn’t buy the car to save on gas.
Qualifying prioritises the battery being available for harder driving , track etc . You have to drive it hard to get it charged . Driving in performance on the road is fine and you always get home with half the battery left .
Thanks- And why would you choose performance over qualifying? For what reasons? Wouldn’t you rather have the battery fully charged and have the car in a faster mode? It doesn’t feel to stiff or loud in qualifying- IMO.
One explanation I have heard is that repeated cycles of rapid charge/ discharge of the battery in Quali mode over long term will degrade the battery faster… The Race mode (chequered flag) charges it to half full (at a lower rate) and keeps it there (tho may not give you the full 830hp)… unless I’m doing hot laps on track Race seems more than enough… particularly given the cost of replacement batteries
Yeah, that is helpful, I always put my in qualy to charge the battery to full but I do cycle through it. I parked it once for several weeks with the battery at 0 (I can blame someone else for this as I wasn’t in the car) and it bricked if. Easy reset at the dealer but a pain so I always make sure to have a healthy charge. I also sneak through my town in electric a fair amount. The real adjustment for the driving dynamics is the manettino but I am sure you know that.
Someone help me here - who cares if the electric battery is at 10% or 100% when you get home? Don't you guys charge it?
