01/11/2026 7:36 pm
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I’m picking up my Ferrari 296 GTS in about three weeks and I’m trying to sort out the useful accessories before it arrives, rather than getting carried away and buying a bunch of expensive stuff I’ll barely use. The car will be my weekend car around Southern California, mostly short drives, occasional canyon roads, and maybe two or three longer trips a year. It’ll be parked in a garage, but I’m still concerned about paint protection, storage, and keeping the interior from getting beat up.
Right now I’m torn between spending the money on a full front PPF package from a local installer, buying a Ferrari-branded indoor car cover and adding a ceramic coating, or going with a higher-end custom cover plus a simpler partial PPF setup. The full PPF quote is around $6,500, which is more than I originally planned, but I know the front end could take a lot of stone chips. The Ferrari cover looks great, although I’m not sure if it’s actually better than the custom-fit covers from Covercraft or WeatherTech.
For the interior, I’m looking at genuine Ferrari floor mats versus premium rubber/all-weather mats, and I’m also considering a small trunk organizer since the 296 GTS doesn’t exactly have loads of practical storage. I’d like to keep the car looking original, so I’m not interested in loud aftermarket styling parts or anything that needs permanent modification. A battery tender is probably essential too, but I’m unsure whether the Ferrari-branded one is worth the premium compared with CTEK.
For owners who actually use their 296 GTS instead of keeping it under a cover, which accessories have turned out to be genuinely worthwhile? If you had roughly $7,000 to spend initially, would you prioritize full or partial PPF, the OEM cover, ceramic coating, floor mats, a battery tender, wind deflector, or storage items? Also, are there any 296-specific accessories people regret buying or wish they had ordered from the dealer before delivery?
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01/11/2026 7:36 pm
For a garage-kept 296 GTS, I’d prioritize front-end PPF over ceramic coating. My setup has been:
- Full front PPF: best protection for canyon driving; $6,500 is high, but satisfying if the installer is excellent.
- Ceramic coating: useful for cleaning and gloss, but it won’t stop chips.
- Cover: the Ferrari cover fits well, though Covercraft Form-Fit Indoor Car Cover Custom-Fit Stretch Fabric works just as well for less.
- CTEK MXS 5.0 12V Battery Charger and Maintainer is plenty; no complaints. Add OEM mats and a small organizer later.
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01/11/2026 7:50 pm
- For the interior, I’d skip rubber mats unless you’re regularly driving in wet or muddy conditions. The 296’s cabin looks much better with fitted carpet mats, and a good set protects the factory carpeting without making it feel utilitarian. Lloyd Mats Ultimat Custom-Fit Carpet Floor Mats Ferrari 296 GTS is the sort of option I’d look at, but make sure the heel pad and retaining clips match the car before ordering.
- The small luggage areas benefit more from soft organizers than rigid boxes. I’d use a low-profile, collapsible organizer with a non-slip base so it doesn’t scuff the trim or interfere with the frunk lid. WeatherTech GearBox Cargo Organizer Adjustable Collapsible is a practical example, though I’d verify dimensions first; the 296’s storage spaces are awkwardly shaped.
- Don’t overlook a quality tire inflator and a compact microfiber kit. Something like Viair 88P Portable Air Compressor 12V 120 PSI can save a miserable roadside wait, especially on longer canyon trips. Keep it secured so it can’t move around.
- The wind deflector is one of the few Ferrari options I’d consider ordering before delivery. It makes roof-down freeway driving noticeably less tiring, and it’s easy to remove without modification. I’d be careful with cheap aftermarket versions, since rattles around the rear deck would drive me nuts.