Discussion
As alluded to in a couple of other threads, I have scratched the Ferrari itch with a year old Roma.
A year ago I would have dismissed the choice and plumped for a Lusso. But for some reason I've come round to the Roma as a prettier and more useable Ferrari. The rear seats are very small, but surprisingly perfectly ok for my 9 year old son. It is shorter, and I suspect will be easier to park and navigate tight c-roads in. No V12, and time will tell how the turbo V8 will excite or not. But for now I'm the proverbial kid in a candy shop.
The first cars I remember as a child are Ferraris and it's taken 50 years to end up owning my own. Big thanks to Edinburgh Graypaul who have been excellent. And to a very understanding wife.
How it began!
A year ago I would have dismissed the choice and plumped for a Lusso. But for some reason I've come round to the Roma as a prettier and more useable Ferrari. The rear seats are very small, but surprisingly perfectly ok for my 9 year old son. It is shorter, and I suspect will be easier to park and navigate tight c-roads in. No V12, and time will tell how the turbo V8 will excite or not. But for now I'm the proverbial kid in a candy shop.
The first cars I remember as a child are Ferraris and it's taken 50 years to end up owning my own. Big thanks to Edinburgh Graypaul who have been excellent. And to a very understanding wife.
How it began!
I was in the lucky position to not have to finance it. Most money I’ve ever paid for a car though!
I’m smitten, so I obviously think you will love the drive. I do need to figure out where the bonnet ends and how I am going to negotiate some car park entrances. Reverse parking is much simpler!
I’m smitten, so I obviously think you will love the drive. I do need to figure out where the bonnet ends and how I am going to negotiate some car park entrances. Reverse parking is much simpler!
The rear seat appears surprisingly OK for little ones. My 9 year old son is about 140cm tall and he had plenty of room with the passenger seat slightly forward. Admittedly it was occupied by my 11 year old son who is 155cm, but unless you need to someone very tall in the passenger seat it is fine.
I'm 178cm, but with longer legs than torso, so I end up with steering wheels at their full extension. With my normal driving position the rear seat behind the driver would be tight. But for a short journey, I don't think it would be too difficult to move the drivers seat forward along with the wheel and make the room behind.
We drove for about an hour and my 9 year old was perfectly happy, spending a lot of time looking out of the rear window at other cars. I hope he wasn't making faces! I'm not sure that any longer than that would be advisable however as it is a very upright rear seat?
I recommend a trip to the nearest dealer with the kids to try it out for yourself - what better excuse!
I'm 178cm, but with longer legs than torso, so I end up with steering wheels at their full extension. With my normal driving position the rear seat behind the driver would be tight. But for a short journey, I don't think it would be too difficult to move the drivers seat forward along with the wheel and make the room behind.
We drove for about an hour and my 9 year old was perfectly happy, spending a lot of time looking out of the rear window at other cars. I hope he wasn't making faces!
I'm not sure that any longer than that would be advisable however as it is a very upright rear seat?I recommend a trip to the nearest dealer with the kids to try it out for yourself - what better excuse!
Not much of an update, but have managed to put some miles on the car, including a good run today over some of my favourite Perthshire roads.
I'm very impressed with the bumpy road setting. I didn't quite know what to expect, but on highland roads that haven't got any smoother over the last 10-20 years, it manages to remain very composed. That combined with quick steering, neutral, but tight handling and a very responsive accelerator made for easy, precise and fluent driving. Great fun. Third and fourth gear are ideal for the twisties and short straights before the need for license retention looms into view.
Having come from a 992, the noise is a joy. I have no doubt that other Ferrari's are both better sounding and even sharper handling, but for me it is something of a revelation. And it is so much more of an event to drive too. The price might have something to do with that I suppose, but it brings a big grin to my face.
Managed to find a standard Ferrari part front number plate bracket on eBay for a sensible price, so I'm going to try and fix that to the carbon fibre spoiler using some extra strong pads rather than drilling. One of the rear seats has refused to release (electronic) which has made my attempts to cram my golf clubs and trolley in slightly more difficult. But I got them all in (after having removed all golf clubs and put them in separately)
It feels wide, leading to some extra caution passing parked cars with oncoming traffic etc. Not sure if it will shrink once I get used to it, or if it is actually quite wide!
I'm very impressed with the bumpy road setting. I didn't quite know what to expect, but on highland roads that haven't got any smoother over the last 10-20 years, it manages to remain very composed. That combined with quick steering, neutral, but tight handling and a very responsive accelerator made for easy, precise and fluent driving. Great fun. Third and fourth gear are ideal for the twisties and short straights before the need for license retention looms into view.
Having come from a 992, the noise is a joy. I have no doubt that other Ferrari's are both better sounding and even sharper handling, but for me it is something of a revelation. And it is so much more of an event to drive too. The price might have something to do with that I suppose, but it brings a big grin to my face.
Managed to find a standard Ferrari part front number plate bracket on eBay for a sensible price, so I'm going to try and fix that to the carbon fibre spoiler using some extra strong pads rather than drilling. One of the rear seats has refused to release (electronic) which has made my attempts to cram my golf clubs and trolley in slightly more difficult. But I got them all in (after having removed all golf clubs and put them in separately
)It feels wide, leading to some extra caution passing parked cars with oncoming traffic etc. Not sure if it will shrink once I get used to it, or if it is actually quite wide!
Rumdoodle said:
What's the story with the 330 and the Dino? Do you know where they are now?
I found the 330 about five years ago being restored, and corresponded with those concerned. In different circumstances I might have been tempted to try and buy it, although the asking price was too high, but it has survived and is looking lovely.As for the Dino, the answer is no I'm afraid, or not yet. The story behind it and indirectly the 330 is detailed here - https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ian-m-st...
GingerMunky said:
Leithen said:
As alluded to in a couple of other threads, I have scratched the Ferrari itch with a year old Roma.
That's a stunning colour mate! Wow! And love the origins photo I was less adventurous, and more cliched, for my first Ferrari (Roma) - Rossa Corsa and Crema.
Loving the Roma, more and more; and so do lots of other people when I am out and about.
Managed to negotiate various car park ramps, entrances and exits, so feeling a bit more confident now. Need to play with the seat lumbar and other internal settings to be completely comfortable. Just love the bonnet view.
Loving it, that is until it was put to bed for the winter!
Only niggle has been the rear seat mechanism intermittently refusing to work. The dealership were great and picked the car up and returned it, but of course the seats worked fine whilst they had it. Luckily the service manager had witnessed the problem on an earlier visit, so it will be a case of seeing if it is a recurring problem.
Other than that, the all screen dash likes to claim that everything has failed after restarting at the petrol pumps. But you learn to just give the Italian girl a few moments to gather herself together and before you know it, everything is sweetness and light again. It's Italian, what do you expect...
I've done 1000 miles in it and have absolutely no regrets. It is an event to drive in a way that my 992 simply wasn't. The ride comfort is exceptional, steering very direct, but not too twitchy, engine a delight. Third and fourth gear are ideal amongst the various highland roads that surround us here. I like the exhaust note, but then I'm wanting to verge on the slightly more discreet scale. And it's not too big either.
Looking forward to March/April and hopefully maybe having some European adventures. I'm definitely putting miles on it and letting the car market do what it will.
Only niggle has been the rear seat mechanism intermittently refusing to work. The dealership were great and picked the car up and returned it, but of course the seats worked fine whilst they had it. Luckily the service manager had witnessed the problem on an earlier visit, so it will be a case of seeing if it is a recurring problem.
Other than that, the all screen dash likes to claim that everything has failed after restarting at the petrol pumps. But you learn to just give the Italian girl a few moments to gather herself together and before you know it, everything is sweetness and light again. It's Italian, what do you expect...
I've done 1000 miles in it and have absolutely no regrets. It is an event to drive in a way that my 992 simply wasn't. The ride comfort is exceptional, steering very direct, but not too twitchy, engine a delight. Third and fourth gear are ideal amongst the various highland roads that surround us here. I like the exhaust note, but then I'm wanting to verge on the slightly more discreet scale. And it's not too big either.
Looking forward to March/April and hopefully maybe having some European adventures. I'm definitely putting miles on it and letting the car market do what it will.
blueg33 said:
Op. Your childhood was clearly more privileged than mine.
If I had been inspired by the cars my dad had when I was 8 I would be lusting after a Morris Marina estate!
Very fortunate and very thankful in so many ways. If I had been inspired by the cars my dad had when I was 8 I would be lusting after a Morris Marina estate!
My father did say later in life that he thought Mum had been very kind and forgiving to put up with his obsession with cars. To which, Mum immediately said, "rubbish, I loved every single one of them!"
Recent updates have moved CarPlay from the binnacle display to the centre screen and enabled wireless connection.
Works very well and the sound seems fine. Heating and seat settings which are also within the central screen are good too.
There was criticism of the haptic controls on the steering wheel, but you can set them to switch off after a few seconds, so that you don’t accidentally select things by mistake.
Only way to know if it works for you is to try it out!
Works very well and the sound seems fine. Heating and seat settings which are also within the central screen are good too.
There was criticism of the haptic controls on the steering wheel, but you can set them to switch off after a few seconds, so that you don’t accidentally select things by mistake.
Only way to know if it works for you is to try it out!
Entirely respect your opinion Deej, but we are all different!
I genuinely haven't had an issue with the sloping screen. Perhaps that is because I'm in Scotland and the sun is an infrequent visitor. Maybe driving it in Europe I will come to hate it, but I suspect not. The updates that have put CarPlay onto it are good. I generally like to set things and not fiddle with them, so apart from selecting a different podcast, book, destination, it appears to be perfectly fine to me.
That applies to the haptic steering wheel controls too. I'm not a fan of the idea, but given the implementation it's workable. There's nothing I want to change on a regular basis apart from selecting cruise control on motorways and I appear to be able to do that without drama.
It isn't a V12, and apart from the comparable price, second hand vs nearly new, I'd argue that it and the F12 are very different cars. I still have two children that can get in the rear of the Roma and the six years of servicing is a big comfort blanket to someone coming into the marque.
I also own a farm, so I do know what diesels sound like! Again it isn't a V12, and I did seriously consider the Lusso, but the looks and size in the end steered me away from it. I have done 1000 miles in the Roma, with some highland roads that I know well, and compared to my previous 992, I love the sound. It might well be not as good as other V8 turbo incarnations, but I'm enjoying it regardless.
I love the beauty and the view down the bonnet gives a thrill every time you get in it. It also, in my humble opinion, is a good steer too. Reviews by those that know better and can compare regard it soft, but in a good way. As I have said before, the bumpy road setting is a revelation.
So, perhaps unsurprisingly, I'm a fan. That might change in a the next year or so and if it does I'll try and be brutally honest. I'll keep you posted.
Happy New Year!
I genuinely haven't had an issue with the sloping screen. Perhaps that is because I'm in Scotland and the sun is an infrequent visitor. Maybe driving it in Europe I will come to hate it, but I suspect not. The updates that have put CarPlay onto it are good. I generally like to set things and not fiddle with them, so apart from selecting a different podcast, book, destination, it appears to be perfectly fine to me.
That applies to the haptic steering wheel controls too. I'm not a fan of the idea, but given the implementation it's workable. There's nothing I want to change on a regular basis apart from selecting cruise control on motorways and I appear to be able to do that without drama.
It isn't a V12, and apart from the comparable price, second hand vs nearly new, I'd argue that it and the F12 are very different cars. I still have two children that can get in the rear of the Roma and the six years of servicing is a big comfort blanket to someone coming into the marque.
I also own a farm, so I do know what diesels sound like! Again it isn't a V12, and I did seriously consider the Lusso, but the looks and size in the end steered me away from it. I have done 1000 miles in the Roma, with some highland roads that I know well, and compared to my previous 992, I love the sound. It might well be not as good as other V8 turbo incarnations, but I'm enjoying it regardless.
I love the beauty and the view down the bonnet gives a thrill every time you get in it. It also, in my humble opinion, is a good steer too. Reviews by those that know better and can compare regard it soft, but in a good way. As I have said before, the bumpy road setting is a revelation.
So, perhaps unsurprisingly, I'm a fan. That might change in a the next year or so and if it does I'll try and be brutally honest. I'll keep you posted.
Happy New Year!
funboxster said:
I've been reading the various posts both the Roma with interest, as I'm seriously thinking of buying one. This would be my first Ferrari, having had McLaren, Aston Martin and just coming out of a 911 Turbo S.
My main question concerns colour. I've presumed you should have the classic red, because it's a Ferrari, right? And also for resale?
However, I see there are some lovely colours available. I'd be getting a 6-12 month old one.
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
Reds can be quite a divisive subject when it comes to Ferrari....My main question concerns colour. I've presumed you should have the classic red, because it's a Ferrari, right? And also for resale?
However, I see there are some lovely colours available. I'd be getting a 6-12 month old one.
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.
I personally don't think many of the Reds suit the Roma. But I would proviso that with the fact that there are many, many Reds that have adorned Ferraris over the years. Many older cars are repainted in different hues, either by choice or even perhaps ignorance of what came before. There are some really lovely shades/versions, but it is ultimately entirely personal - it's your car. I do love Rosso Fuoco for example, but it's a rare colour.
I also think the Roma is quite colour sensitive, so be sure to try and see any potential car under different light conditions. Also bear in mind that historically Ferraris have been painted many colours, and the company has produced some stunning ones.
As a quick update, the car is great - due a service in a couple of weeks. The dealership has been trying hard to get a spider order out of me, but I'm perfectly happy right now. I've played a bit more with different modes, but the bumpy road setting is exceptional in all of them. So make sure any car you look at has had the Magneride option ticked. I think most cars have been ordered with it.
Keep us updated with your search.
The first Roma I looked at didn't have CarPlay and the dealer insisted that it couldn't be retrofitted. That may have changed, I don't know.
In the end I bought a car that was nearer to me and did have it. Software updates have moved it from the binnacle to the centre screen, which works very well in my experience. My concern re not having it was twofold - I listen to a lot of podcasts whilst driving and I wasn't certain that the built in system would be able to play these from my phone without me having to fit some kind of phone holder. I also wasn't confident that the maps would be updated - no idea if that is unfounded or not.
I think it all depends on how you will use the car. I have some wonderful driving roads around me in the Highlands and all I care about is not losing my license - no infotainment required! But I also take the car into Edinburgh and that's at least an hour of boring driving where I will listen to something and do like to have Waze to see if traffic is snarled.
In the end I bought a car that was nearer to me and did have it. Software updates have moved it from the binnacle to the centre screen, which works very well in my experience. My concern re not having it was twofold - I listen to a lot of podcasts whilst driving and I wasn't certain that the built in system would be able to play these from my phone without me having to fit some kind of phone holder. I also wasn't confident that the maps would be updated - no idea if that is unfounded or not.
I think it all depends on how you will use the car. I have some wonderful driving roads around me in the Highlands and all I care about is not losing my license - no infotainment required! But I also take the car into Edinburgh and that's at least an hour of boring driving where I will listen to something and do like to have Waze to see if traffic is snarled.
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