Ferrari Roma verdict
Should you buy one?
By the time you’re talking about this sort of pricetag there’s not a lot of point having an argument about whether the Roma is good enough as a motorway cruiser and mountain road slayer or whether you’d be better off buying two Porsche 911s instead. Customers won’t be buying only this car, so this won’t be bought with the same all-rounder considerations as, say, a VW Golf.
That said, it is mightily impressive how convincing the Roma is as a one-Ferrari-to-rule-them-all – sure the rear seats won’t suffice if you regularly need to transport more than two people, but for anyone else this is a suitably useful daily driver that just so happens to be razor sharp when the moment takes you.
In fact, we think it approaches that balance better than the Portofino or California T that came before it and is the ideal starting point for Ferrari ownership. No, the roof doesn’t come down, so it won’t suit those looking to be seen while driving, but as a trade-off the elegant exterior lines and styling more than make up for it.
It gives you just enough of the Ferrari-fizz to leave you wanting more from a model higher up the range, but not so little that in isolation it feels half-cocked.
More impressive is the car’s ability to celebrate an older era of luxury while moving the game on in terms of interior tech and usability. All that without being an exercise in chintzy, throwback styling – it feels distinctly old school but under the skin the Roma is anything but.
Best of all though is the simple stuff – this is a front engined, V8 powered, 2+2 coupe, with no hybridisation or self-driving modes in sight. Enjoy it while you can. If you can.
What we like
We like how the looks are a departure from the more driver-focussed models in the Ferrari range, with a much cleaner shape that isn’t been smattered with vents or aerodynamic creases in the bodywork.
The sumptuous cabin design and introduction of the tech also makes this a Ferrari that can’t be dismissed as ‘old fashioned’, and should be enough for those sitting on the fence about wanting one that isn’t too compromised for road use.
What we don’t like
The snatchy brakes can be difficult to modulate, the seating position might prove a little awkward for longer-legged drivers and the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel are a little slow to respond.
Plus, while the Roma is suitably loud enough, the V8 soundtrack still isn’t quite as exotic as some may expect.
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