Has anyone made the change from an SF90 to a 296? currently have a sf90 and will be getting 296 in a couple of months I don’t think I will keep both cars because of garage space Any thoughts?
Testing both and owning the 296; the 296 feels more agile, nimble, etc. SF90 feels big. Most people at the Ferrari preview in my city last year preferred the 296 over the SF90 after testing both. Both are equally special in their own way. I like the SF90 for it's AWD and a more aggressive appearance. I might pick up a SF90 if the right deal came along but I wouldn't get rid of my 296 AF for it.
Have and love both. 296 feels more nimble. And I like that it has trunk space. SF90’s 4 wheel drive and torque distribution allow me to take the SF90 performance to one level beyond 296. Easier to drive it faster as the performance systems integration across all four wheels provide more confidence. My guess is that I have higher apex speeds in and out with the SF90. My wife prefers the 296 for passenger space and putting stuff in the trunk.
Sorry, kind of off topic, but what about the F8 vs any of them two? Or more specifically, vs the 296? Worth the 'upgrade'? BTW it's crazy that the price of a 296 GTB is around $400k, same as many low-mileage F8s...
I would be interested in your opinion of the 296 after coming out of the SF 90. I love my 296 but have not driven an SF 90.
Well I had a pista before my sf90 While I had the pista I went to corso pilota and it was with the 296 296 was in another world ahead of the pista. I imagine f8s and pista are similar cars them having the same engine. Sf90 also world ahead Made the change and haven’t looks back Given the choice f8 or 296 296 all the way
I'll make a counterpoint, between the two, I find I am enjoying the SF90 more. What I am reacting to is my perception of better balance in the SF90 (could be the AWD); the 296 always felt just a little too rearward heavy (kind of older 911 like, but not as bad as that), and the moment of when the car is in balance from when it is not in balance when turning the steering wheel is very very fast- Chris Harris alluded to this in his review when he said you are best to leave the systems on. I agree with all these cars, I wouldn't want to play like that, unless on track with some room. I find the power experience to be literally the difference between a V8 and V6- the V8 has more torque everywhere and just feels stronger. The 296 still feels plenty strong, and yes, it is fun, but for whatever reason, I find the SF90 even more fun. We have our different preferences, and going into it, I expected that I would prefer the 296's smaller size, more nimble character. I am a little surprised at my reaction.
Yes. Having owned both a F8 and a 296, the 296 is a world ahead of the F8, and certainly a world ahead of the Pista as well.
would you guys mind expanding on this? A world ahead is quite a bit, and knowing how fast and capable the F8 / Pista is, I simply can’t imagine how there can be such a big difference. I test drove the 296 briefly and what was most significant was the whole electric thing, just adding another dimension and use case to the car. Power felt 812-like but with the torque you get with the electric engine. But to say in ‘another world’ feels like an exaggeration? Maybe I’m wrong? To me the big leap was to go from a 458 to an F8. Is the leap that big from F8 to 296? Thx in advance
I have been lucky enough to own all the V8s since the 360 and I think it is a touch of everything which when combined makes it feel like another leap forward as the 430 to 458 to 488 was. The engine/battery has new characteristics; more power, power delivered more linearly (battery fills in the torque curve), revs more freely, sounds better (certainly inside the cabin). Combine that with the slightly smaller wheelbase and sharper steering and you have faster, stronger and more nimble.
Okay, let me put it another way. It significantly outperforms the F8 in a straight-line (both from a dig a roll), and around any road course. It’s on a completely different level of performance.
Currently own F8. I have driven both 296 and SF90 on multiple occasions. I will go with SF90 and looking forward to adding one.. Its a beast, love it!!
Thx for this. I always think about use cases (mostly 3: street driving, mountain passing, and the track). As far as that performance improvement, I can see how it can really outperform the F8 at the track. For the other 2, I loooove the full electric option for the street driving case, but for mountain passing (I do it 2x a week) I feel some lower-powered, lighter cars with better suspension actually feel better to me than the F8, or for that matter the 296? And I have Cup2s and a Novitec system on my F8... So overall, it seems to me like I can still enjoy the F8 for another year (for a total 3 yr-ownership) and then trade for the 296 GTB (or even better GTS) next summer. I haver a 'YOLO' mentality but I'm not sure I'm missing out so much. Although gorgeous too, I also like the looks of the F8 better. Check picture - how do I dare to trade this??? #talkaboutfirstworldproblems... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Similar experiences owning similar cars. I wont add to the Pista comparison other than to say there isn't a comparison. Pista is still a thug of a car, but I wouldnt buy another over a 296 GTB or S. Regarding the f8. Recently, while in Tuscany we rented for a day (and 400 miles) a f8 Tributo. We own a 296 GTS. Bottom line, drive both back to back and its clear the 296 is on another planet. Speed aside, the over attention to detail, materials, sound, handling...the entire car was truly superior. I am not trying to offend any F8 owners and if I did please forgive me.
Lets forget for a second that the 296 and SF90 are literally hyper car fast. They will smoke literally anything. The interiors are beautiful and actually feel like youre in 2024, and the quality is superb. F8 is a slightly updated interior of a 458 italia unfortunately. Which is a 15 year old car. The steering on the 296 is sharp. Like TOO sharp. Its honestly incredible. I first drove it on corso pilota so i really got to see what it can do. Mind blowing. Very easy to wrap the car around corners and it literally feels like its a naturally aspirated engine with 1 Million horse power. I mean holy **** these things dont stop pulling. Power delivery is super linear. The sound is actually amazing. Its like a baby v12. and to me the 296 sounds better than the sf90. Words can only do so much. Do yourself a favor and make your way to your local Ferrari dealership and just take one for a spin. I think it will explain itself very well.
So funny. I was actually testing driving this baby while you sent the message above I have to say... now I get it. I'll add that I'd personally take it with the Assetto Fiorano package as I found the car (and the suspension!) very raw, not just fast. Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's my concern as well, but I also noticed the car rides high enough for most curbs. Also I'd add the Scrape Armor I've used before. So net net a non-issue
