Which of the Bussos is the better steer or drive?

[GTdrive]

I know that from the factory they always lacked something. And they are of course FWD. But with a Q2 differential etc, which of the Busso cars is the better steer or drive?

I wouldn't think it's the 166. But apart from that I'm at a loss.

The best looking ones for me are the GTV followed by the GT. My least favorite is the 147, as I don't like hatchbacks. Not of the Golf, Focus, 147 type anyway.

But which one is the better drive?

[Johnny 89]

I imagine the 156 GTA is right up there, perhaps along with the GTV Cup?

The 12V Busso dates back to the '70s though and was used in RWD applications (e.g. 75) if that's your thing.

[Rozzers]

If its a 3.2 you want, its the 156 saloon.

The 47, 56 and GT are all basically the same car though, give or take.

GTV suspension isnt great, its much older design.

[Andy665]

Rozzers said:

If its a 3.2 you want, its the 156 saloon.

The 47, 56 and GT are all basically the same car though, give or take.

GTV suspension isnt great, its much older design.

The GTV suspension was fine, although based on the Tipo platform they ditched the rear end and replaced it with a much more sophisticated setup, part of the reason why bootspace is so poor

My second GTV V6 had a Quaife fitted (better than the Q2 diff in my opinion) with GTA flywheel and Konis - turned a reasonably well driving car into a really good one

The Phase 3 GTVs (rare) were available with the 3.2 Busso engine too, the 146, 156 and GT were never fitted with the 3.0 Busso, the 156 had the 2.5 and 3.2, 147 and GT had only the 3.2 IIRC

[CarlosSainz100]

I've owned both a phase 3 gtv 3.2 and a GT 3.2 and driven a 156SW busso.

They all had a Q2 on. At normal speeds I struggled to even know I had a Q2 fitted.

The GTV was fast but very nose heavy and the handling suffered because of that.
The GT was a very nice place to be and smooth I loved owning it
For outright handling the 156SW was hands down the winner although the one I drove had also been aligned by some ex prodrive handling guru.

[V6todayEVmanana]

Depends what you mean by better, the Gtv can roll a bit if a quick left right succession bend but on sweeping corners it carries lots of speed and gives feed back. I was easily able to detect and recover some oversteer at Thruxton cornering around 90mph.

The suspension in my experience handles the corners well but not the potholes etc.

The GTV and GT felt like you are in a sports car, the GTV is especially nice and low. Most of the GT's have better seats, Gtv seats not have the side support.

I don't think the Cup offers anything apart from a body kit, standard not even Q2.

The Q2 is a must for high speed corners, I've taken mine on track before and after and the difference is light and day on the tight corners (some roundabouts too).

I've always had fun driving the Gtv (Goodwood, Thruxton, Brandshatch), Bedford and Abingdon I only did once and was inexperienced hence didn't push.

Due to the age most will have or need a suspension refresh to feel right.

[CarlosSainz100]

I'm probably going to get shot down in flames for this but out of all the Alfa's I've owned....the best handling by far imo was my gtv TS. I loved that little car. It gripped round corners like sick on a blanket and cornered like a housefly. The steering was so direct and quick. Because the outright power wasn't there you could build up momentum around corners and let the rear suspension dart you round.

I had far more fun in that if we're talking handling than any of the busso engined cars I owned.

All in my opinion...