running riken raptors now. Heard they were discontinued so says local tire shop. I need suggestions on a 20-30k tire similar in function to my raptors. daily driver,like to drive on the asphault back roads @ higher speeds. I work my tires on local back roads enough that wheni park in the garage I can smell my tires. the raptors let me cruise @ about 80 to 85 mph in pouring rain with relative confidence (grippy) need something like that at a price range similar to the raptors. any experience with the way I drive and thoughts on the type of tire would be helpful. thanks ahead... the oldman...

 

You have a lot of options in that tire size. Have you tried using the comparison tools at tirerack.com?

 

I personally think the best tire made in 275/40/17 is the Goodyear GS-D3 but they are $354 from summit and $285 from tire rack. My friend had some Nexen N3000 on his supercharged 05 GT and they seemed to last him a while...granted he only had the car for about 9 months before he traded up to a 2010 2SS/RS

 

Local shop tryin to rip you, I was just on Summit racing like 5 minutes ago and the Riken raptors are still available in 275/40/17. $117/tire I think.

I ran the raptors on my z when I stockers on there 245/50/16 not a bad tire for $100

 

NT05. Might not go the whole 20k, but it will slaughter any other tire in that category. You'll think you're driving a whole different car when you hit the twisties. Discount Tire has them for something like $135 each in that size.

Regarding rain, obviously I wouldn't go out canyon carving or autoxing with them in pouring rain, but they never gave me any issues in regular driving through rain, including high freeway speeds.

 

I'm glad to hear you like the NT05's, I believe I will be getting a set in the spring. What other tires have you had that they "slaughter," and how do they do with straight line grip?

 

Goodyear GSD3, Kumho anything other than the V710, Falken FK series, and Toyo Proxes excluding RA1. I'll probably think of more. For 200 treadwear and under $150 each, it's hard to beat.

 

Agree 100%. Best tire I have ever owned and compares equally with the Michelin Pilot Sport (which I had on a 911). Just got rid of my GS-D3 tires after 6 years and 23,000 miles. Still had tread left too but the age was getting up there and I am about to go on a road trip to FL. My Trans Am handled incredibly well with those Goodyears and I was shocked at the long tread life. I kept the air pressure at a steady 32 psi for those 6 years. I am not a 'pedal to the metal' driver though either. Can't get them in my 16" stock size anymore so had to go to a BFG G-Force SS A/S. They are fine, but not a GS-D3. That is a special tire. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny.

 

GS-D3 or the BFG Gforce Sport Comp 2 are both very good options.

 

You guys don't carry Nitto.

 

the nto5's? i'll look at those. yeah, my highway speeds consist of 80-90 in rain on open interstate away from everyone. so as not to cause harm to anyone else. the riken's were like leaving at a hard accel. in rain as if it were dry,not much spin etc. thanks for the input LS nation. the oldman.....

 

Agree w/ Rudy

Goodyear GSD3:Best tire out there for F-body. Great steering response, quiet, all weather, great mileage.

Do a cost per mile ratio. A Nitto or BFG sport comp 2 might make more sense for you, but you can't put a price on safety.

Cowpunk

 

Hmmm. I thought they quit making the GS-D3s. I've used everything from the michelin PS2s to my current tire the Nitto NT-05 and the D3s are still my favorite. Might have to pony up to get some this next year since these Nittos are barely going to make 10,000 miles and are dangerous at highway speeds in anything other than light rain.

I was also looking at the Continental AWS which look interesting but I'm guessing dry traction is horrible.

 

The GS-D3 has been discontinue in most sizes but has been so popular for these cars its still made in 275/40R17. They are often out of stock because they are only made a few times per year. Our next batch is scheduled for May 2014.

 

Awesome. May need to get some this Spring. Thanks.