The Last Dance: Driving The Final Ferrari Roma Spider
Let’s be honest. Most car send-offs are quiet affairs. A press release, maybe a special badge, and then silence. Not Ferrari. For the final act of the Roma, Maranello is doing things properly. The 2026 Roma Spider isn’t just a last hurrah; it’s a mic drop.
This is it. The last year of production, and it’s convertible-only. The coupe is already gone. This stunning Spider is the final chapter for a car that perfectly blended timeless elegance with a brutally effective twin-turbo V8. And just to make things interesting, its successor, the Amalfi, is waiting in the wings.
So, do you buy the beautiful finale or wait for the new beginning? I’ve been obsessing over the details to help you decide.
Why This Final Roma Spider is a Collector’s Dream
This isn’t just another model year. The 2026 badge makes it the ultimate iteration of the Roma platform. Its “La Nuova Dolce Vita” design philosophy—that monolithic “shark-nose” front, the clean lines, the active spoiler—is now frozen in time. It’s a GT that doesn’t need to scream for attention. It just gets it.
For collectors, that “final year” status is catnip. It’s the last of its kind before the tech-heavy Amalfi takes over. If you want a pure, internal combustion V8 Ferrari GT with this specific aesthetic, your clock is ticking.
Under the Hood: That Glorious, Unapologetic V8
Let’s talk about the heart of the matter. Nestled under that long hood is the F154 BH engine: a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 pumping out 620 horsepower. The magic isn’t just the peak power; it’s the tidal wave of 561 lb-ft of torque that hits low and sticks around.
Plant your foot, and the 8-speed DCT slingshots you to 60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds. The sound is a ferocious blend of turbo spool and a classic V8 roar, especially with the top down. It’s brutally fast but never feels nervous. The Side Slip Control (SSC) lets you play without feeling like you’re constantly on the edge of disaster.
It’s not exactly frugal (think 19 mpg on a good day), but who buys a Ferrari for its fuel economy?
Living With It: The Good, The Bad, and The Beautiful
Slip inside, and you’re greeted by the gorgeous “dual-cockpit” interior. The materials are impeccable—everything you touch feels expensive. But let’s address the elephant in the room: the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.
They look incredibly cool and futuristic. They are also, frankly, a pain to use while driving. You will accidentally change the radio station when you just meant to turn. It’s the car’s one real ergonomic flaw, and thankfully, Ferrari is bringing back physical buttons in the Amalfi.
As a convertible, it’s brilliant. The soft top stows away in just 13.5 seconds without eating up all the trunk space. With 255 liters of room back there, it’s genuinely usable for a weekend getaway. The ride, especially with the optional MagneRide suspension, is a masterclass in duality—supremely comfortable on the highway and razor-sharp on a twisty road.
The Rivals & The Reason to Buy
On a pure spec sheet, others have more power. The Aston Martin DB12 is more powerful and raw. The Bentley Continental GT Speed is a hybrid torque monster. The Roma doesn’t win every paper battle.
It wins the emotional one.
Driving the Roma isn’t about numbers. It’s about the steering feel, the engine note, the way it looks sitting outside a café. It delivers “Ferrari drama” in a package you can actually live with every day. It’s special.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy One?
The 2026 Roma Spider starts at around $280,000 before you even look at the options list. That’s a serious investment.
Buy the 2026 Roma Spider if:
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You want the final, most evolved version of this design.
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You value a pure V8 experience without hybrid complexity.
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You believe “last of its kind” models have a special allure.
Wait for the Amalfi if:
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You crave the latest technology and interior ergonomics.
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You want that little bit more power and aerodynamic tweaks.
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You’re not sentimental about saying goodbye to an era.
My take? The Roma Spider is a near-perfect grand touring send-off. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, thrilling to drive, and surprisingly practical. The touch controls are annoying, but it’s a flaw I’m willing to forgive for a car that gets so much else right. This final Roma is a celebration. And what a party it is.
The Good:
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Show-stopping, timeless design.
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Glorious twin-turbo V8 engine with explosive performance.
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Perfectly tuned ride/handling balance with MagneRide.
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Usable trunk space and a quick-retracting roof.
The Not-So-Good:
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The touch-sensitive steering wheel controls are frustrating.
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It’s the end of the line—newer tech is on the horizon.
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The price of entry is exceptionally high.
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