Buyer's Guide · June 1, 2026 · 8 min read

Ferrari 296 GTB Buyer's Guide: Sourcing Maranello's V6 Hybrid Masterpiece in Jacksonville

For decades, a Ferrari V6 was something to apologize for — the engine of the Dino, beloved but always a junior offering. The 296 GTB obliterated that history. Launched in 2022, it took a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 — the first six-cylinder in a road-going Ferrari to wear the badge directly — added a plug-in-hybrid electric motor, and produced 819 combined horsepower from what is, on paper, a 'small' car. The result is a machine that drives like a junior LaFerrari and that the motoring press has repeatedly praised as one of the finest-handling cars Ferrari has ever built. For Jacksonville and Northeast Florida buyers, it is the modern Ferrari that delivers genuine supercar theatre in a usable, beautifully sized package.

The engineering is genuinely significant. The 120-degree V6 layout allows the turbos to sit inside the vee for sharper response, and Ferrari nicknamed the engine the 'piccolo V12' for the way it revs and sounds. The electric motor fills the low-end torque gap and allows around 15 miles of silent, all-electric running — useful for slipping out of a Ponte Vedra neighborhood at dawn without waking the street. But make no mistake: the hybrid system here exists to make the car faster and sharper, not greener.

GTB, GTS, or Assetto Fiorano?

The 296 family is compact but the variants matter enormously to both character and value.

296 GTB: The coupe. Purer lines, slightly lighter, and the form most collectors gravitate toward. The default choice for the driver who wants the cleanest expression of the car.
296 GTS: The retractable-hardtop convertible. Open-top drama with the roof stowed in around 14 seconds, and arguably the more appealing car in the Florida climate. Commands a premium over the GTB.
Assetto Fiorano package: The track-focused option, available on either body. It adds Multimatic dampers, a carbon-fibre door panel and rear screen, a lightweight Lexan rear window, special Michelin Cup 2 R tires, and unique livery options. AF cars carry a clear premium and meaningfully greater collectibility.
Specification: Beyond the trim, the right paint, the carbon-fibre wheels, the carbon racing seats, and the front-axle lift system are the options that separate a desirable car from an ordinary one.

What to Inspect

The 296 is still a young car, which means originality and a spotless record are paramount. Insist on a complete Ferrari service history and a clean ownership and accident report — early, low-mileage examples carry premiums precisely because their provenance is unimpeachable. The single most important option to verify for Florida ownership is the front-axle lift: without it, every steep driveway and parking ramp becomes a chin-spoiler hazard. Inspect the front clamshell and splitter for stone chips and any sign of repair, check the carbon wheels (if fitted) for kerb damage, and confirm the hybrid battery and high-voltage system have no fault history. On a car this new, a single undisclosed paint panel can move the conversation significantly.

Living With a 296 in Northeast Florida

A mid-engined Ferrari might sound impractical, but the 296 is among the more livable supercars in the First Coast climate. The hybrid system means you can creep through a neighborhood in silence, the cabin is comfortable enough for a run down A1A to St. Augustine, and the front lift solves the region's speed-bump-and-driveway problem. The Florida heat is the main consideration: garage it, keep it on the right tires, and be mindful that Cup 2 R rubber on an Assetto Fiorano car is built for grip rather than longevity in 95-degree humidity. Owners tend to be enthusiasts in Ponte Vedra and the gated communities around Jacksonville Beach, often as a weekend complement to a more practical daily. Running costs are Ferrari-typical: scheduled service, tires, and the annuale maintenance are premium, but the car rewards correct care.

What They're Worth

In the Florida market, 296 GTB values generally run from the low $300,000s to well over $400,000 for Assetto Fiorano and low-mileage examples, with GTS convertibles commanding a premium over the equivalent coupe. As with every modern Ferrari, specification and provenance drive the price: a tastefully optioned, AF-equipped car with documented single-owner history sits at the top of the range, while a base-spec coupe with higher miles anchors the bottom. These cars have held their value strongly, and the discontinuation cycle of Ferrari's V8 mid-engine line only sharpens the 296's appeal.

Sourcing One Privately

Desirable 296s — the right color, the right options, the Assetto Fiorano cars — move quickly and quietly, often before they are ever publicly listed. A Ferrari relationship and a private network are how you reach them. That is what Opulent Exotics provides. As a private brokerage serving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, we source the exact 296 GTB or GTS you want, verify its history and specification, and handle everything discreetly. To discuss the car you are looking for or to request current availability, call Jhonny Garcia directly at (305) 922-5380.

Looking for a Ferrari 296 GTB? We source it privately, matched to your spec. Request 296 GTB availability or call (305) 922-5380.