Which Ferrari (296 or F8)
Discussion
Hi,
I will be working from Dubai for 6 months of the year for the next 3 years, so I’m looking to buy a car out here.
I’ve narrowed my search down to a Ferrari F8 Tributo or a Ferrari 296.
Like every car, both have their pros and cons, and I literally cannot decide which one. I have literally changed my mind everyday for the last 2 weeks, which is a major first world problem / privilege to begin with.
Which car would you go for, ignoring the cost and the value in 2 years time, as the difference in cost and future value will not be big enough to sway my decision.
Hopefully someone here can help me settle one.
Appreciate the help, in advance.
I will be working from Dubai for 6 months of the year for the next 3 years, so I’m looking to buy a car out here.
I’ve narrowed my search down to a Ferrari F8 Tributo or a Ferrari 296.
Like every car, both have their pros and cons, and I literally cannot decide which one. I have literally changed my mind everyday for the last 2 weeks, which is a major first world problem / privilege to begin with.
Which car would you go for, ignoring the cost and the value in 2 years time, as the difference in cost and future value will not be big enough to sway my decision.
Hopefully someone here can help me settle one.
Appreciate the help, in advance.
Edited by PaulCar1 on Monday 28th October 14:50
To my eye the 296 is one of the prettiest Ferraris of the last 25 years and the F8 is a little uninspiring
Purely on performance I think there is not much in it going by the figures
I would need to drive both to decide on which one is more fun and also to see if I can deal with the new Ferrari interior / haptic stuff etc
I am sure either one would make you happy
Purely on performance I think there is not much in it going by the figures
I would need to drive both to decide on which one is more fun and also to see if I can deal with the new Ferrari interior / haptic stuff etc
I am sure either one would make you happy
Long story. I had a 458. I didn't change it for a 488 because in my opinion it was faster and better but not as much fun. That is just my view, there are no rights or wrongs and many disagree. I felt the F8 was more of the same - faster, better but no more fun.
The 296 is probably faster than the F8, not that that matters, but it is just a lot more fun.
I will try and elaborate when I have more time but I have been on the fence about chopping in my 458 until I got to take the 296 around Varano.
But drive them both. Ideally get a go on one of Ferrari's trips to nice circuits in the 296 GTS.
I went 296 GTS. I actually wouldn't have changed my 458 for an F8 at all. But that is just me. There are no wrongs at this level, just what is right for you. I also didn't care too much about the financial aspects of it. I don't expect to change soon and time is more important than money. I did everything I wanted to do in the 458 and now expect to do the same thing in the 296. In a few years I'll think about it again.
The 296 is probably faster than the F8, not that that matters, but it is just a lot more fun.
I will try and elaborate when I have more time but I have been on the fence about chopping in my 458 until I got to take the 296 around Varano.
But drive them both. Ideally get a go on one of Ferrari's trips to nice circuits in the 296 GTS.
I went 296 GTS. I actually wouldn't have changed my 458 for an F8 at all. But that is just me. There are no wrongs at this level, just what is right for you. I also didn't care too much about the financial aspects of it. I don't expect to change soon and time is more important than money. I did everything I wanted to do in the 458 and now expect to do the same thing in the 296. In a few years I'll think about it again.
To add to what Ming said, I have a 458 Spider and although the 488 and F8 are faster and more modern and less irritating inside (the stereo!) I've never been tempted to change. I have driven a 296 GTB at Snetterton and recently around Fiorano and I loved it. It's stunningly fast and brilliantly poised, it also felt very expensive inside and well made. I've got a hang up about anything EV or hybrid but the 296 felt like a normal petrol car. It makes a great noise, not as loud as the 458 but great all the same and the car is lighter than a 458 and I think only fractionally heavier than an F8. I'm not completely sold on the looks and I think I prefer the F8 to look at but the 296 is a brilliant drive.
IMO the 296 should have been the 296 Dino, being a lighter, smaller, and fewer cylinder car compared to its stablemates. I’ve read they chose not to as the Dino name implied it wasn’t up to Ferrari standards, but to my mind that’s not the association the name has these days (just witness the number of Dino’s with Ferrari badges).
So question is whether you want a Dino or a Ferrari? Personally I’d rather have the Dino.
So question is whether you want a Dino or a Ferrari? Personally I’d rather have the Dino.
NickyF said:
To add to what Ming said, I have a 458 Spider and although the 488 and F8 are faster and more modern and less irritating inside (the stereo!) I've never been tempted to change. I have driven a 296 GTB at Snetterton and recently around Fiorano and I loved it. It's stunningly fast and brilliantly poised, it also felt very expensive inside and well made. I've got a hang up about anything EV or hybrid but the 296 felt like a normal petrol car. It makes a great noise, not as loud as the 458 but great all the same and the car is lighter than a 458 and I think only fractionally heavier than an F8. I'm not completely sold on the looks and I think I prefer the F8 to look at but the 296 is a brilliant drive.
The 296 is lighter than a 458 despite al the hybrid gubbins?That's impressive. Agree, the V6 sounds good as well.
amanu1 said:
I don't want to sound like a spoil sport but there's a speed camera every few kms so you'll unlikely be driving quickly.
Precisely this and to add that there is no where at all to drive fast cars in Dubai so you’re picking this based only upon which is the best looking/practical. You will not touch any of performance at all, so from that point of view it does not matter. I’m not sure how much you have driven around Dubai but on a daily basis, either option is going to be far too low and frankly frustrating to drive there. Traffic jams are frequent and long, driving standards are very low but each to their own.
Drl22 said:
Precisely this and to add that there is no where at all to drive fast cars in Dubai so you’re picking this based only upon which is the best looking/practical. You will not touch any of performance at all, so from that point of view it does not matter.
I’m not sure how much you have driven around Dubai but on a daily basis, either option is going to be far too low and frankly frustrating to drive there. Traffic jams are frequent and long, driving standards are very low but each to their own.
You’ll have to venture out to RAK and Fujairah to enjoy the car properly. Avoid Abu Dhabi, the traffic fines are extortionate and they can even take your car away if speeding is excessive! Going fast in Dubai is possible but only short squirts and not particularly exhilarating. I’m not sure how much you have driven around Dubai but on a daily basis, either option is going to be far too low and frankly frustrating to drive there. Traffic jams are frequent and long, driving standards are very low but each to their own.
Dubai autodrome and yas marina always have stuff on if you like circuit driving too. There’s a very big car scene in the UAE so it’s best to join a club
My write up elsewhere of why I ended up with a 296 GTS. Incidentally I did get almost exactly that spec shown. Sorry I just don't want to type it all again or cut and paste and edit.
https://www.backroads.ie/forum/car-related/r-roads...
https://www.backroads.ie/forum/car-related/r-roads...
Thank you for the replies.
I’ve now thrown a Speciale in the mix, and ruled out an F8. The F8 looks great, but just doesn’t do it for me ‘sound’ wise.
The 296 is a fun car, but I honestly don’t know how they all sat around a table and agreed that they had designed the best possible wheels for the car… the wheels are so ‘soft’ looking, similar to a Hyundai. If I go 296, I will be adding the carbon wheels, even though they are a silly price.
Also, I really don’t get the comments on driving in Dubai. It’s the same as every other busy city. Plenty of places to drive the car, and in and off motorways, etc
I’ve now thrown a Speciale in the mix, and ruled out an F8. The F8 looks great, but just doesn’t do it for me ‘sound’ wise.
The 296 is a fun car, but I honestly don’t know how they all sat around a table and agreed that they had designed the best possible wheels for the car… the wheels are so ‘soft’ looking, similar to a Hyundai. If I go 296, I will be adding the carbon wheels, even though they are a silly price.
Also, I really don’t get the comments on driving in Dubai. It’s the same as every other busy city. Plenty of places to drive the car, and in and off motorways, etc
I'd pick the Speciale also. I know I went 296 but there were local tax reasons.
On the carbon wheels, they look great but one nick and you are down a lot of money - very difficult to repair damage. I wouldn't have them for that reason. I'd say they are a disadvantage on resale.
There are a good few wheel options on the 296.
On the carbon wheels, they look great but one nick and you are down a lot of money - very difficult to repair damage. I wouldn't have them for that reason. I'd say they are a disadvantage on resale.
There are a good few wheel options on the 296.
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