Aston Martin DB12 vs Ferrari Roma: Which Grand Tourer Wins?

This is where the Aston Martin DB12 vs Ferrari Roma decision starts. The DB12 runs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, sourced in partnership with Mercedes-AMG but retuned by Aston Martin, making 671 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic. That is a genuinely large jump over the outgoing DB11, and it puts the DB12 near supercar territory on paper, with a claimed 0-60 mph time around 3.5 seconds.

The Roma answers with a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 making 612 horsepower and 561 lb-ft, sent through an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox borrowed from the SF90 family. Ferrari claims a 0-60 mph time close to 3.4 seconds, meaning the Roma is not meaningfully slower in a straight line despite giving up nearly 60 horsepower to the Aston. Ferrari's dual-clutch shifts noticeably quicker than the DB12's torque-converter automatic, which is part of why the gap in real-world pace is smaller than the spec sheet suggests.

Character is really the deciding factor. The DB12 sounds and feels like muscle: a bigger, angrier V8 note and a chassis tuned to back it up. The Roma is more surgical, quieter at low speed, and only really opens up once you push it, which fits Ferrari's own description of the car as understated by design. Neither is the wrong choice; they are simply built around different definitions of drama.

Florida's long, flat roads and year-round driving season reward a grand tourer that is easy to live with, and both of these cars were built with exactly that brief. The Roma leans further into comfort: a 2+2 layout with genuinely usable rear seats for short trips, a quieter cabin at cruising speed, and steering-wheel-mounted controls that take some learning but reward it once familiar. It is the more relaxed car to drive to dinner.

The DB12 is the more physical experience day to day. The ride is firmer even in its softest mode, the exhaust note is present at every speed, and the cabin, while beautifully finished in leather and a new touchscreen system, asks a little more attention from the driver in slow traffic. Both cars handle Tampa's heat and humidity without issue, and both offer front-axle lift as an option worth checking for, given local driveways and speed bumps.

Trunk space favors the Roma slightly for a weekend bag, while the DB12's frunk-free layout puts everything in the rear. If you are buying from out of state, DRIP arranges nationwide enclosed delivery so either car arrives exactly as inspected.

Most people assume a Super Tourer and a Ferrari GT will feel similar once you are actually driving them. In practice, the DB12's steering and throttle are noticeably sharper than any Aston before it, closing much of the gap to a proper sports car while keeping the long-distance comfort a DB buyer expects. It rewards a more committed driving style even on an ordinary commute.

The Roma stays composed and light on its feet, with steering that is quick without being nervous and a chassis that flatters a relaxed pace just as easily as a spirited one. Ferrari's traction and stability systems are among the most refined in the segment, which makes the Roma feel forgiving even when you push past what the badge's reputation might suggest for a front-engine car.

A two-hour blast up the coast will feel like a workout in the DB12 and a glide in the Roma. Both are genuinely good outcomes; they simply serve different moods. Curious how each actually feels back to back? Talk to the DRIP team about arranging a side-by-side look.

Ferrari's badge equity is real, and it shows up at resale. Roma values have generally tracked well against other modern V8 Ferraris, helped by strong demand for a genuinely usable, lower-maintenance-feeling GT car in the lineup. Buyers looking for a Ferrari that does not scream mid-engine supercar keep this model in steady demand.

The DB12 is a newer platform, launched in 2023 as a clear step up from the DB11 it replaced, and early reception has been strong. It has not yet built the multi-year resale track record that the Roma has, which means more of its long-term value story is still being written. As with any exotic, spec, color, mileage, and a documented service file move the number far more than badge loyalty alone.

If you already own one and are weighing a sale, the DRIP sell desk pulls current market comps and can tell you honestly where your specific car sits.

Routine maintenance, tires, and brakes are where ownership gets real on both cars. The Roma benefits from Ferrari's typical complimentary maintenance program in the early years of ownership, which is worth verifying on any specific car before purchase, since it can meaningfully soften routine costs while the coverage window is active.

The DB12 uses a proven AMG-sourced engine architecture, which tends to mean rational parts availability compared to a fully bespoke powertrain, though service still routes through Aston Martin's dealer network rather than a wider independent shop base. Both cars wear performance tires sized for the segment, so plan for that as a recurring cost regardless of which one you choose.

In both cases, the biggest ownership risk is not the badge, it is buying a poorly documented example. DRIP inspects and documents every car it carries so you know exactly what you are getting before you commit, and we will walk the numbers with you before you decide.

If you want the more powerful, more aggressive grand tourer, the one that feels like it is asking you to drive it harder, buy the DB12. It is the bigger step forward for Aston Martin in a generation, and its V8 note alone sells a lot of buyers on the spot.

If you want the quieter, more restrained Ferrari, the one built specifically to be driven every day without ceremony, buy the Roma. It gives up a little horsepower on paper and gives back a car that is genuinely easier to live with, while still wearing the badge that most people in this segment are chasing.

There is no wrong answer in the Aston Martin DB12 vs Ferrari Roma matchup, only the car that matches your daily reality. Drive both, then buy the best-documented example of whichever one speaks to you. DRIP carries and sources both; tell us the spec you want and we will find it, or sell you the one already vetted and sitting on our floor.