Huracan Evo RWD to 296 - anyone done it ?

[Hergiswilreid]

Appreciate anyone's thoughts who has made this switch or driven both cars for a decent amount of time, in order to have an informed opinion. I've read all the reviews and watched all the videos I can about the 296, but always appreciate the thoughts of the people on this forum.

I live in the north of Scotland and have access to great roads. I don't need to commute to work, drive on motorways and I don't track my cars. My cars are used on weekends only and a few road trips per year (with wife). Photo of Evo on ferry in western isles this summer, attached to show it can be done.

I've owned 430, 458, 488 and F12 prior to the Evo RWD. As well as the Evo (used April-Sep only), my garage currently has a 992 GT3 Touring (which I use year round) and a Gen 2 GR Yaris (for when it's wet/salt on roads).

I've had the Evo for three years and 5,000 miles. I still love it, but a) it's difficult to road trip in and b) itchy feet - always want to try the next thing.

I've seen a few 296s in the flesh and really like the way it looks (v. important to me) and from the reviews, people say it sounds and drives great (also v. important). I know it's not going to match the Evo V10 sound though. Depreciation is not a huge concern (I would only ever buy used, so hopefully dodge most of the hit that the 296 appears consigned to suffer). A test drive is not an option, unless a dealership will give me a 296 for a long weekend and 500 miles...

Anyone made the switch I'm contemplating and willing to share their thoughts, especially if it's not to do it ?

Thanks all.

[jayemm89]

I've owned neither, but driven both - Evo RWD in Scotland, and the 296 across Europe and UK.

The 296 is a magnificent car. I wouldn't consider one without the eye wateringly expensive warranty, and some have been problematic, but it's more usable, faster, more exciting to drive and more comfortable than the Evo. Other than the soundtrack (and I like the 296 sound) I can't think of a reason I'd have the Lambo

[bennno]

I looked at the EVO, but went for the 296.

Usable luggage space in the 296. It’s way way faster. 7 years free servicing. Less ostentatious interior.

EVO makes a much better noise.

[Hergiswilreid]

Thanks both for your replies. In the meantime (tail end of 2025), I did take the plunge and swapped my Lambo for this Azzurro California 296 GTB.

Weather up here was shocking for most of 2026 to date, but I've managed to take it on some of my local roads for a blast the past week or two. Intial impressions are that:

it really is a step on in terms of performance from the 458/488 lineage (I never had an F8);
it is a much more sophisticated car than the Lambo - both in terms of the exterior looks (albeit subjective of course), interior and the engine;
while the noise is not a V10, it is really nice and I'd say there is certainly more to it than my 488. It's not a V12 (I did own an F12 for a while), but I can see why it was labelled the piccolo V12, as it is 'smooth';
I've quickly adjusted back to the hyper quick Ferrari rack and there is less understeer than the Lambo;
the hybrid aspect of it is actually pleasant to use, including when stuck behind a queue of cars on twisty country roads

All in all, even though I haven't had a summer road trip in it yet (where I think it will beat the Lambo hands down), I don't regret the swap one bit.

Depreciation and battery problems may come, but they don't impact how the 296 is to drive, which is brilliant.

[MDL111]

congrats! that is a lovely colour

[WCZ]

they make a lot of sense at current prices imo

[XMA Simon]

Looks damn good in Azzurro California: it shows off the curves very nicely. Congratulations.

[blueg33]

Hergiswilreid said:

Thanks both for your replies. In the meantime (tail end of 2025), I did take the plunge and swapped my Lambo for this Azzurro California 296 GTB. .

Lovely. I love the Lambo too, but the Ferrari is more elegant and sophisticated, less shouty and its a stunning design that really gels without lots of ugly angular aero.

That is a great colour

[MingtheMerciless]

Nice.

Well done.

I've done 5000km in mine since I got it (GTS). I think it is as much fun as the 458 while being better than the 488 and the F8 in every way that matters.

As you say depreciation and battery problems may come but there is a warranty which you can extend and YOLO.

Gratuitous pic.

[blueg33]

If Jayemms vid is anything to go by, the warranty gets expensive at nearly £7k a year.

[bennno]

blueg33 said:

If Jayemms vid is anything to go by, the warranty gets expensive at nearly £7k a year.

To be fair, who’d have thought they’d be able to buy a 830bhp hypercar for £180k ……

Warranty costs aren’t unreasonable in that context.

[blueg33]

bennno said:

blueg33 said:

If Jayemms vid is anything to go by, the warranty gets expensive at nearly £7k a year.

To be fair, who d have thought they d be able to buy a 830bhp hypercar for £180k

Warranty costs aren t unreasonable in that context.

Also true. But once it’s say 7 years old, it’s a £120k car with a different market and budget.

[bennno]

blueg33 said:

Also true. But once it s say 7 years old, it s a £120k car with a different market and budget.

I simply don't see that happening, the cheapest 18 plate (8 year old) 488 is £150k and the 296 is light years ahead.

The Prius uses a hybrid powertrain thats recognised as the most reliable transmission combination on the market after 30 years of production.

[maura]

Having owned a AF SF90 Coupe for 18 months and 296 doing nothing for me in the looks, I would go 296 to EVO RWD..

[jayemm89]

It depends whether the market gets put off by the cost of the warranty.
I'd absolutely own a 296, but never without the warranty. Some might not like the fact you've essentially got to pay Ferrari another £4-6k a year on top of the costs of it.

I know plenty of people with 458s/F12s etc... and self warrantying those doesn't feel like a huge gamble. But, 488 onwards the cost of certain key components becomes so big it's a worry.

296s are already cheaper than F8s, once they start getting to 150K then this could prove an issue - especially if there's a car where a previous owner hasn't kept up with the warranty or schedule, then the value could take a real beating.

Lots of unknowns - but the car itself is amazing. No doubts there.

[GlynV8]

jayemm89 said:

It depends whether the market gets put off by the cost of the warranty.
I'd absolutely own a 296, but never without the warranty. Some might not like the fact you've essentially got to pay Ferrari another £4-6k a year on top of the costs of it.

I know plenty of people with 458s/F12s etc... and self warrantying those doesn't feel like a huge gamble. But, 488 onwards the cost of certain key components becomes so big it's a worry.

296s are already cheaper than F8s, once they start getting to 150K then this could prove an issue - especially if there's a car where a previous owner hasn't kept up with the warranty or schedule, then the value could take a real beating.

Lots of unknowns - but the car itself is amazing. No doubts there.

It seems that Ferrari have just invented a finance plan to pay for your replacement HV battery every 8 years. However, you do then get the benefit of having the other components covered too. Those of with a laissez faire approach to risk would ask is it really necessary?

[XMA Simon]

jayemm89 said:

It depends whether the market gets put off by the cost of the warranty.
I'd absolutely own a 296, but never without the warranty. Some might not like the fact you've essentially got to pay Ferrari another £4-6k a year on top of the costs of it.

I know plenty of people with 458s/F12s etc... and self warrantying those doesn't feel like a huge gamble. But, 488 onwards the cost of certain key components becomes so big it's a worry.

296s are already cheaper than F8s, once they start getting to 150K then this could prove an issue - especially if there's a car where a previous owner hasn't kept up with the warranty or schedule, then the value could take a real beating.

Lots of unknowns - but the car itself is amazing. No doubts there.

One thing I don't think that your video got right necessarily is that once the HV battery drops below 70% is it stuffed. That is simply not my experience. What is true is that you no longer have 15 miles EV range (with you driving like miss daisy while grandad overtakes you in his Honda Jazz). Probably instead half that. So you can't treat the car like a Honda Prius. EV mode is still useful if you are stuck behind a chain of traffic waiting for a temporary traffic light to allow another three cars ahead of you to continue on their way... then you are waiting for another 4 mins for the lights to cycle. Or similar such situations where you avoid the engine blairing while people peer down at you. And - I've not done it yet, but if you are doing long Nurburgring circuits or multiple hot laps on a normal distance circuit then you might find yourself in a similar predicaments to Ferrari's current F1 team. But if you are enjoying your car on the road in real terms it does not make a damn of difference and the car continues to perform just fine.

However one aspect that your video did highlight - and that I very much agree with - is that if owners do not keep up to date with the KERS warranty then falling out from the 8 year "paid for" (cause it aint free) HV replacement means that the preowned market for 296s will differentiate between cars that have been kept permanently within warranty and those that have not. I'd imagine a £20-30k spread between the two to reflect the baked in value of HV battery replacement. So people aiming to own one of these cars as a self-warranty either need to find a 296 that has already fallen out of warranty at some point in its ownership, or suffer significant additional depreciation in the multiple £10,000s in allowing the KERS system to fall out of warranty themselves. Either way you pay (either for the warranty or the additional depreciation).

So in summary - NEWSFLASH! - running a modern Ferrari is not cheap. Who would have guessed? But boy oh boy... the 296 is sensational!

[XMA Simon]

GlynV8 said:

It seems that Ferrari have just invented a finance plan to pay for your replacement HV battery every 8 years. However, you do then get the benefit of having the other components covered too. Those of with a laissez faire approach to risk would ask is it really necessary?

Yes, that is the way that I looked at it.

I actually think that Ferrari has done the right thing here by standing by their product in the way they have with these Extended Hybrid Factory warranties. And the ability to do the same for a further 8 years under the Power Hybrid is icing on the cake. And remember besides the battery replacement and the ICE warranty your Hybrid warranty is also covering the complexity of any other KERS hybrid elements. Only thing to catch you out is that the expensive LV battery is still considered an out of warranty consumable and that is about £1.7k for a Li-Ion. Switching back over to the Ni-Cad is possible, but then you need to pay - one off cost - for a different LV alternator.

They have essentially given long term owners optionality. (And to me having the option is better than not having the option).

[garystoybox]

XMA Simon said:

They have essentially given long term owners optionality. (And to me having the option is better than not having the option).

Or…. They’ve cynically found a way to get the consumer to continue to pay for a new technology which is turning out to not be quite as reliable as first delivered. Keeping their dealerships tied in to serving these vehicles for 16 years, whilst turning additional profit (they make money on warranties). Just seems to be kicking the hybrid complication and expense can further down the road.

We all know a 296, shod of the hybrid system would be a better, simpler, more desirable car- hence why they are supposedly looking to build one (in limited numbers of course!)

[XMA Simon]

garystoybox said:

Or . They ve cynically found a way to get the consumer to continue to pay for a new technology which is turning out to not be quite as reliable as first delivered. Keeping their dealerships tied in to serving these vehicles for 16 years, whilst turning additional profit (they make money on warranties). Just seems to be kicking the hybrid complication and expense can further down the road.

We all know a 296, shod of the hybrid system would be a better, simpler, more desirable car- hence why they are supposedly looking to build one (in limited numbers of course!)

Agreed that Ferrari is cleverly incentivising owners to keep the car within warranty. They are also active in trying to shake extra thousands out from your pocket with almost weekly invitations to expensive events around the world: in the recent past I've had paid for (by me) invitations to two road tours / organised holidays, two Ferrari hospitality GPs and one circuit driving course. I am still waiting for the invitation to the Ferrari fashion show... LOLs.

However the Hybrid Warranty on this Ferrari is not that much more than what I remember paying McLaren on a Super Series. And the Ferrari Factory Warranty is covering almost everything ICE and KERS and guaranteeing you a new HV battery at year 8 within the cumulative price you've been paying during ownership.

As for 296 minus the KERS being simpler and more desirable. I used to think that and perhaps you are right. But part of the attraction of the 296 is the large capacity / 12 cylinder high torque feeling you get from the hybrid power train. And the very fast throttle response and high rev / rev happy power delivery that you get compared to other blown supercars. Without the KERS for road use (compared to the Challenge cars) I wonder how much much more laggy the low capacity, blown V6 would feel. So maybe hybrid is the correct solution for a road environment despite what we think looking over the fence at the ICE 296 race cars. The grass is always greener on the other side of the road!