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Buying guide · 2019 to 2023Updated

Ferrari Portofino (and Portofino M) buying guide

The Portofino is a usable open-top Ferrari whose weak points are battery drain and the folding roof, and the choice between the 2019 launch car and the Portofino M matters.

The Portofino as a used buy

The Ferrari Portofino is a car to buy on its battery history and roof behavior, not on its headline figures. It replaced the California T for the 2019 model year in the US and ran to 2023, first as the original car and then, for 2022 and 2023, as the Portofino M.

Both are 2+2 convertibles with a retractable hardtop that Ferrari quotes at 14 seconds to open or close. The rear seats suit only small children, so think of it as a two-seater with luggage space. Auto Express describes it as superbly made, quick and user-friendly, though expensive to buy and run.

Octane Files finds no model-specific horror story. The checks are ordinary ones, done thoroughly. Browse used Portofinos for sale or used Portofino M listings to see what is out there, and read every Portofino and its market for context.

Portofino years and versions

The original Portofino has a twin-turbo V8 of 3.9 liters making 591 hp, sending power to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It was sold in the US from 2019 to 2021. Auto Express says there is no turbo lag.

The Portofino M arrived for 2022 and 2023 with 612 hp, an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox, revised bumpers and a five-position Manettino with extra modes including Race. Marque calls the M the sharper car and the launch cars the more relaxed grand tourers.

Whether the M justifies its premium is open to argument. Auto Express thinks it is the better car but calls the premium hefty and says owners disagree. Marque argues the launch cars make the stronger case as a group and recommends the 2021 car. Compare the Portofino price guide with the Portofino M price guide before deciding, and see how much a Ferrari costs in general.

Options matter more than usual. Auto Express singles out Magneride suspension, with parking cameras and Apple CarPlay also wanted. Marque adds the passenger display, and says a car with all three is easier to resell. Octane Files notes that carbon aero parts, the Airscarf neck warmer and Daytona-style seats were costly extras that are easy to confirm on a car.

Portofino versions for sale now

Every version in our latest scan, most listed first. Each links to its own page with deal analysis and market history.

Version Model years For sale Median price
Portofino 2019-2021 47 $193,418
Portofino M 2022-2023 22 $274,043

Common Portofino problems

Reports of serious mechanical failure are thin, and the recurring complaints are mostly electrical or software related.

Flat batteries

Auto Express lists a dead battery among the most common problems, particularly on cars used sparingly, even with a trickle charger attached. KickTyres says a car left unplugged for a couple of weeks can go flat and then show a string of warnings.

Folding roof faults

Roof sensor glitches can stop the roof raising or stowing properly. Is It A Good Car adds hydraulic and latch problems, with the symptoms being warnings, a roof stuck mid-cycle or water leaks.

Brake fluid cap

The reservoir cap may fail to vent, creating a vacuum that can leak brake fluid and cause partial or total loss of braking. The fix is a new cap, sometimes with a software update. Auto Express says a February 2022 recall covered cars made up to that point.

Dual-clutch behavior

KickTyres reports owners describing gearbox shudder, rough shifts and occasional loss of drive, mostly traced to software or sensors.

Catalyst sensors

Owners have reported catalyst sensor faults that send the car into limp mode, with some overheating, according to KickTyres.

Stop-start software

A July 2021 recall covered cars built up to May that year for faulty stop-start software.

Turbo failure

Auto Express says turbocharger failure has occurred on early cars but is not common, and rates reliability as generally very good.

Android Auto

Octane Files says Android Auto has behaved inconsistently for some owners, which is worth testing with your own phone.

What to check on a used Portofino

Most of the checks are about electrics, paperwork and the roof.

  • Test the battery and ask for its history, since modern Ferraris dislike standing without a conditioner.
  • Cycle the roof up and down several times, watching for warnings, hesitation or stopping mid-cycle.
  • Look around the roof seals and cabin for signs of water ingress.
  • Confirm the brake fluid reservoir cap recall has been done by asking for the dealer's recall history against the chassis number.
  • Ask when the car first went into service, since the model year alone does not tell you.
  • Confirm the seven-year maintenance programme has been followed, since it stays with the car.
  • Drive in automatic mode in traffic and park several times, feeling for gearbox shudder or delay.
  • Check for bodywork damage or poor impact repairs, and for curbed wheels.
  • Check tyre age on low-mileage cars; the 20-inch wheels take 245 fronts and 285 rears.
  • Test the phone connection, since Android Auto has been inconsistent for some owners.

Portofino running costs

Auto Express gives the service interval as every 12 months or 12,500 miles, and says scheduled maintenance is covered for the car's first seven years. It puts a minor service at around £700 and a major at about double that, UK figures, and notes there is no cambelt to replace.

Ferrari's maintenance programme runs seven years from original delivery and transfers to later owners, per Marque, so check how much of it remains. The ceramic brakes are costly to replace, with pads at £1,000 according to Auto Express, though they last well.

Portofino recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for the 2019 to 2023 Portofino. Campaign 22V536000 covers the hydraulic service brakes on 2019 to 2022 cars, concerning the brake fluid reservoir cap. Campaign 24V810000 covers the 2023 Portofino M for driveshaft screws that may not have been tightened in production and may loosen.

A recall for one model year does not mean every car of that year was affected. Check any car's VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. NHTSA holds no owner complaints for these years.

NHTSA recalls for the Portofino

Every recall campaign the carmaker filed with NHTSA for the 2019 to 2023 model years, newest first, as of Oct 31, 2026. Not every car of a listed year was affected: check a car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign Reported Model years Component What can happen
24V810000 Oct 29, 2024 2023 Power train Driveshaft screws that loosen may result in a loss of vehicle traction and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
22V536000 Jul 26, 2022 2019 to 2022 Service brakes, hydraulic A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.

Best Portofino deals right now

16 deals priced below market right now, the best by about $26,974. Members get the VIN, dealer, listing link and a ready-to-send negotiation email for each one.

Unlock all 16 deals

Members see every deal's VIN, dealer and listing link, plus a negotiation email.

Portofino prices by model year

Median asking price for each model year in our latest scan, with the number of cars listed and their price range.

  1. 2023 $285,538 10 for sale · $195,125 to $347,080 · median 2,461 mi
  2. 2022 $267,096 12 for sale · $233,968 to $280,083 · median 8,379 mi
  3. 2021 $225,084 1 for sale · median 4,933 mi
  4. 2020 $197,109 16 for sale · $152,324 to $210,985 · median 16,830 mi
  5. 2019 $188,972 30 for sale · $165,148 to $214,900 · median 12,491 mi

Portofino fair values by trim and year

Our fair value is what comparable cars, same trim and model year with typical miles, are listed at in our latest market data. A car well under it is worth a close look; a car well over it needs a reason.

Trim Model year Fair value Typical miles
Portofino 2021 $214,815 7,800
Portofino 2020 $201,091 10,500
Portofino 2019 $192,500 10,900
Portofino M 2023 $289,563 2,400
Portofino M 2022 $270,346 5,600

Portofino for sale now

Every used Portofino

Our verdict

For most buyers the 2021 Portofino is the one to find. Marque recommends it, and argues the launch cars make the stronger case as a group. Choose the M if you want the 8-speed gearbox and the extra driving modes and accept the premium, which Auto Express considers debatable.

Insist on Magneride, a documented battery history, a roof that cycles cleanly and proof the brake cap recall was done. Then confirm how much of the seven-year maintenance programme is left.

Sources

We read these pages and checked every fact in this guide against them. The words are ours. Researched Oct 31, 2026.

  1. Used Ferrari Portofino (2018-2020) buyer's guide: beautiful GT is the perfect Luce antidote Auto Express
  2. The Best Year to Buy a Used Ferrari Portofino: Launch Cars, the Portofino M Update, and Where Values Settle After the Roma Spider Marque
  3. Ferrari Portofino "Porto" (2017–2023) Octane Files
  4. Common Problems with Ferrari Portofino / Portofino M KickTyres
  5. Ferrari Portofino recall 22V-536: brake fluid reservoir cap replacement, model years 2019-2022 NHTSA
  6. Ferrari Portofino problems: roof warnings, roof stopping mid-operation, water leaks Is It A Good Car
  7. Recalls and owner complaints for the Portofino NHTSA

Portofino: common questions

What is the best Portofino to buy?

The 2021 Portofino is the pick of the range for most buyers. Marque recommends it and says the launch cars make the stronger case. The M is the sharper car with its 8-speed gearbox, if you accept the premium.

What goes wrong with the Portofino?

The most reported problems are flat batteries, roof sensor or latch faults, and dual-clutch shudder. Owners have also reported catalyst sensor faults. A brake fluid cap recall applies to 2019 to 2022 cars.

Is the Portofino reliable?

Mostly yes. Auto Express rates reliability as generally very good, and Octane Files finds no model-specific horror story. The weak spots are batteries on cars that stand, and the roof.

How much does it cost to run a Portofino?

Auto Express puts a minor service at around £700 and a major at about double, UK figures, with no cambelt to replace. Ceramic brake pads are £1,000 but last well. Routine maintenance is covered for seven years from new.

How much is a used Portofino?

Asking prices for the 69 cars we track for sale right now run from $152,324 to $347,080, with a median of $198,163. Model year, version, mileage and history move the price most; the prices by model year and fair values on this page show where a car should sit.

Has the Portofino been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns filed for the 2019 to 2023 model years as of Oct 31, 2026, the latest for power train. Not every car was affected, so check the VIN of any car you're considering at nhtsa.gov/recalls.