Ferrari 296 GTS for Export from Dubai

Ferrari 296 GTS for export from Dubai: the open-top hybrid and the roof that decides what to check

The Ferrari 296 GTS is the convertible version of the 296 GTB, with the same 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor, and a folding hard roof in place of the fixed one. The roof is the single most important thing to understand about it. A retractable hard top adds moving parts, seals, motors and sensors, and on an export car those are the parts a long sea voyage and a change of climate will test first. An honest assessment of a Ferrari 296 GTS for export from Dubai begins with the roof mechanism, not the engine.

You will find the closed-roof coupe elsewhere, and cars meant for local ownership on the used Ferrari 296 GTS page for Dubai. Here the focus is on cars from UAE sellers who are prepared to see them shipped to another country.

Which 296 this is and where the GTS sits in the line

Ferrari presented the 296 GTB in 2021 and added the open GTS in October 2022. Deliveries of the spider followed in 2023, so every example is recent. There is no earlier generation to confuse it with, and no facelift to date, which simplifies the listing. The letters GTS stand for Gran Turismo Spider, and 296 again refers to the 2.9 litre, six-cylinder layout.

The two bodies share the plug-in hybrid drivetrain and its 819 horsepower. The GTS is heavier than the coupe because of the roof and its reinforcement. On the road the difference is slight, so for a buyer abroad the practical gap is the extra mechanism and the extra care it needs.

As with the coupe, an Assetto Fiorano pack was offered on the spider. Ask the seller whether the car has it, and check the specification against the build sheet so that the option is not simply claimed in the advertisement.

How the folding roof works and what to test

The roof is a two-piece hard top that folds away behind the seats in a matter of seconds and can be operated at moderate speeds. When it is closed, the car looks very close to the coupe. With the roof stowed, the rear deck is occupied by the folded panels. In both positions, the sealing strips and the glass edges are exposed to sun and sand.

Ask the seller to cycle the roof several times in front of you or on a video call, with the engine running. Listen for noises, look for hesitation, and check that the roof sits flush with the body and that panel gaps are even on both sides. Water test marks on the carpet or the rear deck show a leak. A roof fault on a car in a foreign country is expensive to diagnose, because the work needs a Ferrari technician and often a software tool.

Inspect the trim near the roof opening, the rubber around the glass and any sun damage behind the seats. These show how the car was kept. A car that lived under cover its whole life will look different from one parked outside.

Hybrid drivetrain shared with the coupe, plus two seats and a low stance

Underneath, the GTS uses the same 120 degree V6, electric motor and eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox as the GTB. The battery is a plug-in unit, and Ferrari quotes about 25 kilometres of electric-only running. The hybrid system has its own diagnostic checks, and a dealer report is the only reliable way to know its state.

An export buyer should ask for that report, the list of any software updates installed, and confirmation that the charging cable is in the car. The cable plugs into a household or wall-box socket, and the destination country needs to be able to supply that. If it cannot, the battery will still work as a normal hybrid, but the electric mode becomes less useful.

Rear-wheel drive and a lot of power make the car demanding on wet roads. This is an important point for a buyer in a rainy or cold country, who should think about tyre choice and traction settings before buying.

The GTS seats two, and luggage space is limited to a small compartment in the front. With the roof folded, rear stowage space is in practice used up. It is a weekend or pleasure car. Do not expect it to move a family or heavy bags.

Shipping should use an enclosed container with a forwarder who knows low-slung cars. The ground clearance is small, so loading ramps must be gentle. Ask whether the front lift system works, because a car without a working lift can be damaged during loading.

A seller who owns a car like this will usually have a habit about cleaning and covering it, and the photographs show it. Photographs of the front splitter, the sills and the wheels give a quick reading on how the car has been driven. Look at carbon trim for cracks and at the leather for wear on the driver's side bolster.

What sets the price of a 296 GTS sold for export

Price follows a short list of things. The first is that the GTS usually commands a premium over the coupe in the same condition, because many buyers value the open roof. The second is mileage, which on a car this young is the strongest signal of how it has been used. The third is the specification, including the Assetto Fiorano pack, paint colour, wheels and interior.

Service history from an authorised dealer, the number of owners and the state of any remaining warranty come next. A car sold new in the Gulf and serviced there is documented in a form that Ferrari dealers elsewhere can read. A car with gaps invites a lower offer.

Then come the costs outside the sale: freight, insurance for the voyage, port charges and import duty. On a high-value hybrid, taxes can outweigh other costs, so ask a forwarder to estimate the landed cost and compare several listings.

Colour and trim choices have an outsized effect on cars at this level. A rare factory colour or a carefully chosen interior can raise interest, while a loud personal specification can narrow the pool of buyers. Think about who will buy the car from you later, and about what a dealer in your country will find easy to describe.

Gulf-specification GTS cars compared with other markets

A Gulf-supplied 296 GTS is set up for heat, with air conditioning and cooling calibrated for high temperatures. That matters more on an open car, since the cabin sees more sun. The speed readout, lights and some software settings are set for the region, and the service record lives with the regional importer.

Cars delivered to other markets can have different lighting, emissions equipment or safety features. If the car in the listing came from another market, the dealer paperwork should show it, and your local Ferrari dealer should be asked whether it will service such a car.

Check the VIN against the original invoice and ask who the first owner was. The history of a recent supercar is easy to trace, and a seller who hesitates over simple documents deserves attention.

How to buy a Ferrari 296 GTS in Dubai for export

Begin with what the destination requires for a used, high-value, hybrid, left-hand-drive car, including any special import approval. Write it down and keep it for the conversation with sellers.

Pick from the cars listed on this page. Each seller is a verified UAE business or owner, and OneClickDrive does not charge a commission or take part in the deal. We do not inspect or ship the vehicle. Arrange a specialist inspection of the roof, hybrid system and bodywork before paying.

Ask for the registration card, the service book, photographs and a roof video. Get a written statement on who cancels the UAE registration and issues the export documents, since the car cannot be shipped without them.

Hire a forwarder who ships supercars. Agree the container method, insurance and bill of lading. Put the VIN in the agreement, pay a deposit only against it, and settle the balance when you hold the originals.

Age limits, emissions rules and questions to ask before paying

As a model from 2022 onwards, the 296 GTS is too young to meet an age cap. The more likely issues are power-based taxes, hybrid classification and emissions rules. Some authorities treat a plug-in hybrid as a clean vehicle and others look at the combustion engine alone. Ask the authority directly and get the answer in writing.

Left-hand drive is a given for UAE cars. If your country accepts only right-hand drive, the car cannot be registered there.

Before payment, confirm there is no finance or fine on the car, that the registration card and VIN agree, whether the car has been in an accident or had paintwork, and whether the roof, hybrid system and air conditioning work properly. Ask how many keys come with the car and whether the original charging cable and manuals are included.

Our range of Export Ferrari Cars from Dubai offers versatile choices to match every driver’s needs, from everyday comfort to high-performance models. If you want to broaden your options, our complete hub of used cars for sale in Dubai features thousands of vehicles to explore. Looking to upgrade or switch your vehicle? You can also easily sell my car Dubai through OneClickDrive and connect with serious buyers across the UAE.