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I write this for those who may covet Ferrari ownership.
This might be more applicable to the ZR1, but since non of us have driven one, I will stick a high level comparison of the Z06 and the latest Ferrari the 296 GTS.
Here is the story. I have been able to buy virtually any car I want. Full disclosure, a Bugatti or Koenigsegg CCR might be a stretch. But I have owned and raced about everything except a shopping cart with a motor.
I just sold my 458 . I was asked if I wanted the newest Ferrari, at 296GTS for a bit over $400,000, which I could put a refundable down of $10,000 and would have the car between 12-14 months. This is the good part, compared to GM, none of us have any idea when we get cars.
I arranged for a test drive today, and was reminded why the naturally aspirated 458 is still worth money. From the outset, after the 458, all the Ferrari's have had turbos. I thought by now, the car would change, in particular the "short" gearing which is a pain on the street since you have to immediately shift the car and continue in rapid succession to find a suitable gear. Again, the 458's gearing is ideal for the street. The car has over 800 hp (that is why the ZR1 might be more comparable), however, although the speed occurs rapidly, there is no, throw you head back experience, just a linear incremental speed which is overshadowed by having to shift all the time. I also did not like the look of the car, the roof line in particular. Finally, the instrument cluster is , well, a cluster "F". EVERYTHIING you want to see is behind the steering wheel and around the speedometer/tachometer and SMALL. . There is no large screen and the front facia is all but dark and empty.
I presently own, among other cars a 2023 Z06 and a Cadillac CTV 5 Black wing and to tell you the truth, both are more fun to drive.
For those who might wonder, I sold the 458 because I have had it since new (2012) and although a great car, no longer exciting for me. I am not a collector and like to drive my cars.
Hmmmm? I wonder if you have owned a Ferrari 458. I would think you would know that the 458 did not have 800 hp but rather:
“The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm[10] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[9] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[9]“
so actually the 458 is more comparable to the C8 than the z06.
i just traded my c8 convertible and a 992 GT3 for a 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB. Delivering today actually. I have a z06 on order as well. So I like corvettes- tremendous value on a performance to dollar ratio.
but - truth is that the Z06 is a tribute copy of a Ferrari. GM bought Ferraris so they could copy them. Like a tribute Stones band - they can really rock those songs but they are not the Stones. Same with Corvette and Ferrari. GM builds tens of thousand a of corvette a year allowing them to get the per vehicle cost down as compared to Ferrari. If only a thousand Z06’s were built a year they would cost $400,000 each as well.
Are your other cars as poorly spec'd as that one? 🤮
Hmmmm? I wonder if you have owned a Ferrari 458. I would think you would know that the 458 did not have 800 hp but rather:
“The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm[10] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[9] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[9]“
so actually the 458 is more comparable to the C8 than the z06.
i just traded my c8 convertible and a 992 GT3 for a 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB. Delivering today actually. I have a z06 on order as well. So I like corvettes- tremendous value on a performance to dollar ratio.
but - truth is that the Z06 is a tribute copy of a Ferrari. GM bought Ferraris so they could copy them. Like a tribute Stones band - they can really rock those songs but they are not the Stones. Same with Corvette and Ferrari. GM builds tens of thousand a of corvette a year allowing them to get the per vehicle cost down as compared to Ferrari. If only a thousand Z06’s were built a year they would cost $400,000 each as well.
I like your analogy to a tribute band. I think that sums up the relationship nicely. Since I will never have the real thing, I’m glad I have the opportunity to drive a car that is even mildly similar to the real thing. It’s nice to hear that there are similarities.
Hmmmm? I wonder if you have owned a Ferrari 458. I would think you would know that the 458 did not have 800 hp but rather:
“The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm[10] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[9] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[9]“
so actually the 458 is more comparable to the C8 than the z06.
i just traded my c8 convertible and a 992 GT3 for a 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB. Delivering today actually. I have a z06 on order as well. So I like corvettes- tremendous value on a performance to dollar ratio.
but - truth is that the Z06 is a tribute copy of a Ferrari. GM bought Ferraris so they could copy them. Like a tribute Stones band - they can really rock those songs but they are not the Stones. Same with Corvette and Ferrari. GM builds tens of thousand a of corvette a year allowing them to get the per vehicle cost down as compared to Ferrari. If only a thousand Z06’s were built a year they would cost $400,000 each as well.
Are your other cars as poorly spec'd as that one? 🤮
Hmmmm? I wonder if you have owned a Ferrari 458. I would think you would know that the 458 did not have 800 hp but rather:
“The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm[10] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[9] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[9]“
so actually the 458 is more comparable to the C8 than the z06.
i just traded my c8 convertible and a 992 GT3 for a 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB. Delivering today actually. I have a z06 on order as well. So I like corvettes- tremendous value on a performance to dollar ratio.
but - truth is that the Z06 is a tribute copy of a Ferrari. GM bought Ferraris so they could copy them. Like a tribute Stones band - they can really rock those songs but they are not the Stones. Same with Corvette and Ferrari. GM builds tens of thousand a of corvette a year allowing them to get the per vehicle cost down as compared to Ferrari. If only a thousand Z06’s were built a year they would cost $400,000 each as well.
Why you post a picture of a car is a question, especially as liveried. Secondly, regarding the "800hp", you misunderstood. I was speaking of the 296, not the 458. Additionally, although the hp of the C8 is the same as the 458, the 458 is far superior to the C8 in every way. I stand by my post regarding the Z06. As a matter of fact I left my home where I test drove the 296 and just finished a drive in my Z06. I am almost convinced that with the introduction of the ZR1, Ferrari will feel pain. Clearly, ergonomically, and street friendly, with a sufficient "racing" edge to allow you to have fun, the Z06 is far and away superior to the Ferrari. I may have purchased my last Ferrari.
Another thought for "Blue Corvette Guy". I did ot focus on your trade ins and purchase. I too owned a GT3RS which I had traded a 2015 Corvette. I regretted that decision. No sense elaborating. However, I hope you test drove the 296 and made your comments. If not, please post again afterwards. You are handicapped by the fact you don't have a Z06 to compare. Drive one and enjoy the seamless shifts and speed and then the 296, requiring hands on the paddles at all times. I do not mean to be either disrespectful or meanspirited, "different strokes for different folks", but to me, since Ferrari added turbo's with short shifts, street driving has been serious compromised. Best Wishes.
I think Ferrari erred when they left their association with Pininfarina. Ferrari used to produce beautiful cars with Pininfarina styling them. Not so much since.
I own:
2024 Z06
2021 Ferrari F8 Spyder
2024 Porsche GT3RS
2024 Lamborghini Tecnica
2024 Porsche Dakar
2023 Demon 170
Every single one of the cars are very different. Go drive your cars and enjoy them. However I like my Porsche GT3RS the best! But on the street the Demon 170 smokes everything in a straight line.
Hmmmm? I wonder if you have owned a Ferrari 458. I would think you would know that the 458 did not have 800 hp but rather:
“The 458 is powered by a 4,497 cc (4.5 L; 274.4 cu in) engine of the "Ferrari/Maserati" F136V8 family, generating a power output of 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) at 9,000 rpm (redline) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,000 rpm[10] with 80 percent of torque available at 3,250 rpm.[9] The engine features direct fuel injection, a first for Ferrari mid-engine setups in its road cars.[9]“
so actually the 458 is more comparable to the C8 than the z06.
i just traded my c8 convertible and a 992 GT3 for a 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB. Delivering today actually. I have a z06 on order as well. So I like corvettes- tremendous value on a performance to dollar ratio.
but - truth is that the Z06 is a tribute copy of a Ferrari. GM bought Ferraris so they could copy them. Like a tribute Stones band - they can really rock those songs but they are not the Stones. Same with Corvette and Ferrari. GM builds tens of thousand a of corvette a year allowing them to get the per vehicle cost down as compared to Ferrari. If only a thousand Z06’s were built a year they would cost $400,000 each as well.
It was clear he was talking about the hp of the 296. Also, every manufacturer buys competitor cars to benchmark against. This is nothing new. GM created the highest powered all-motor V8 ever made (and by a huge margin)- there is nothing "tribute" about that as the architecture is completely different than Ferrari V8s other than having a flat plane crank (such as the intake manifold being a very ingenious design) and the motor having a crazy high BMEP efficiency rating. See video below.
By your logic, Ferraris are also a "tribute" to GM/Corvette because they use magnetic suspension technology which was invented by GM.
We have a lot of toys in the garage including a Ferrari California. They all have very individual personalities, hence, they defy comparison. Variety is, as they say, the spice of life. Don't get in a rutt and lock yourself into one brand or model if you can avoid it...
I just joined and found this thread. I am actually very curious to hear more about the 458 vs Z06. I owned a 458 myself, but gave it up pretty quickly as I personally was unimpressed. Don't get me wrong, on its own and without a reference it is a fine car. But its entire performance, philosophy and track ability was mediocre compared to McLaren, STO and other cars. I have just recently purchased my first Corvette (Z06/Z07) for express purpose of track use. I don't have any track time (still breaking it in) and only have a few hours of back road driving. But it already feels much more interesting and capable to me that the 458. And as much as its heavier the 458 also had a very similar "heavy" feel to it. And the transmission of the Z06 if FAR superior.
I was never blown away by the 458, on or off the track. And I am VERY curious to hear the feedback of others.
I just joined and found this thread. I am actually very curious to hear more about the 458 vs Z06. I owned a 458 myself, but gave it up pretty quickly as I personally was unimpressed. Don't get me wrong, on its own and without a reference it is a fine car. But its entire performance, philosophy and track ability was mediocre compared to McLaren, STO and other cars. I have just recently purchased my first Corvette (Z06/Z07) for express purpose of track use. I don't have any track time (still breaking it in) and only have a few hours of back road driving. But it already feels much more interesting and capable to me that the 458. And as much as its heavier the 458 also had a very similar "heavy" feel to it. And the transmission of the Z06 if FAR superior.
I was never blown away by the 458, on or off the track. And I am VERY curious to hear the feedback of others.
A user on here owns both. Can't find his username but it's noisyf1 on IG.
I drove a 458 briefly. Owner was gracious enough to let me drive it for a good 20 min. He's on here too and has a C8 Stingray. Honestly, I prefer the Z06 even with the 458 being a hero car since I'm an NA V8 fan. 458 interior layout I preferred felt more exotic and steering feel was better. C8s steering feel is numb like most modern EPS cars. Porsche is best in that department. The 458 DCT is over 10 years old now. That technology has come a long ways from every manufacturer. C8Z is definitely better yes but the 458 has tighter gearing which we all want in C8s. Wish the stock 458 exhaust had more volume. Could tell it sounded good but hard to beat the LT6 theatrics. I'm aware aftermarket options solve that but definitely fun in the Z06 when people ask 'is that stock?'
I had an allocation for a Z06 but declined to purchase. Such a beautiful car and the LT6 is a marvel of engineering. I have not been able to get over the wide ratio transmission the bean counters saddled this car with. So unbefitting of the LT6 powerplant. I am in the hunt to purchase a 458 so this thread has been of great value. If I can get an allocation for a ZR1 I would pass on the 458. The wide ratio economy gearing of the C8 transmission would work better for the ZR1 IMO so I will put up with it and order a ZR1 given the chance.
Economy gear you say .... 8th gear (economy) in an SF90 is huge PITA .... the fact the ECU / TCU takes you there so quickly, ruins a lot of the enjoyment!
Ferrari vs Corvette
