To Roma or Portofino… that is the question

I have a Porto and, last month, started seeing Romas; although I can’t say about driving diferences (I made a test drive with a Roma, and could not see any big difference - of course, was a test drive “controlled” by the seller), what made me decide to stick with the Porto was the fact that the Porto is a “2 in 1” car - one car with roof open, other car with rood closed. Roma’s interior is way better, much more modern, in the other hand. Of course there is Roma Spider, but, personally, I don’t like soft top, so for me it’s not really an option. In the end of the day is a question about a much nicer interior or the versatility that comes with the hard top on Portos (I do think Portos tend to hold more value in the future because this versatility and because there is no replacement with hard top, but this is just my opinion).

 

You’re spot on. I have a 2020 Portofino and it’s one of the very few convertibles that look just as good with the top up as it does with the top down.

 

Have spent more and more time with my Roma over the past two months. Honestly, there is no wrong answer here. If you love the more angular looks, older style dash/physical controls, and of course the convertible hardtop, go Porto. For me, as I age I’ve been trading in convertibles for the more classic lines of fixed coupes. When I saw my Grigio Ferro Roma coupe I just fell in love with the curves versus hard cut lines of Porto. Probably
My last Ferrari as it is almost too perfect in driving dynamics, speed, functionality. Where do you honestly go from here? I’m not chasing the race car for the street F80 future that all exotics are now pursuing, and the subtle nature of Roma just works for my romance of 60’s touring cars (no shield on mine). The days of my 360 gated Spider are over now!

 

Mbelliss, 100%! Hard to know where to go after the Roma. I just took my '22 grigio titanio Roma up to Healdsburg (Sonoma Cty) this last weekend and was continuously remined it is probably the perfect GT and weekender. Shuttling between vineyards in that car made me feel like a king! I tried out a 296 Spider and to be perfectly honest I liked the Roma so much better for many reasons. I have never driven a Porto but I really prefer the smooth and rounded looks of the Roma. I had a Jag F type R a few years ago and have always loved Astons, so I guess that is just the style I dig. Despite growing up on the beach in California I have never had a fascination with convertibles and prefer the clean looks and simplicity of coupes. Having said all that, Ferrari is Ferrari and I am sure you can't go wrong with either!

 

The answer is portofino, great car, convertible, classic styling, not cramped inside like the roma. No comparison for me.

 

This. The lines of the Roma from the front and diagonal are sublime...among the best in the road. But, the rear of the car is not great. It's too bulbous and iterative from Aston. The Porto has a sleeker, more angular look and those taillights are to die for. Furthermore, the tablet center console and the touchpads on the steering wheel of the Roma will be total annoyances for years to come. I hate them on all of my cars. It's the one place where buttons are vastly superior.

Anyway, both amazing cars and 100 percent of what one would ever need on public roads. Just love GTs. Literally the perfect sports cars.

 

Unless there is a problem with the Cali T or you think there’s a possibility of a problem on the horizon then the Portofino is nothing more than a modern evolution of the same platform. More modern tech and screens. Slightly different look on the outside that the layman wouldn’t even know which car was the newer of the two. We all want something new, mind. So If that’s the rationale “newness” then go for it. Just be prepared to be underwhelmed a few weeks after the novelty has worn off and the modern software and screen becomes utilitarian as was the last.

 

Sooo, which, if any, did you get? My situation was similar, Cali T for four years, recently upgraded to a Portofino. I also worried it the price delta would be "worth it" and IMHO it is. The Porto feels like a totally different car-faster, more refined and definitely more muscular, reminds me a bit of an F12 in it's stance and presence. I'm also enjoying the better sound system/touchscreen(JBL upgrade a must) and putting the top up/down while rolling. I am annoyed by the engine start/stop feature and shut it off immediately, my Cali T was also a bit louder so I have ordered the Capristo E2E exhaust valve kit.

 

For me it came down to the touch screens versus actual buttons (plus when I ordered the Portofino M the Roma Spider wasn't released yet). I slightly like the looks of the Roma more but the interior having physical buttons (and convertible) were what won me over between the two.

 

it's an easy choice. Roma all day, it's so much more of a classic look, and will age much better. A modern 250 GT Lusso, of which there were 2 at the 2024 Amelia I went to.

 

The way you have written your intro post makes me believe that you are debating which "pre-owned" Ferrari to buy. If that is the case then excuse me for mentioning the hard truth about early model Roma electrical issues. They are real and plaguing. The Protofino has no such issues as it is the last of the semi-analog Ferraris.

Last thing you want is the car of your dreams visually that spends its life in the shop.

 

I have an early US Roma and the only electrical issues were the batter and charger. Replace both and it is good.

SV