Nitto NT05 opinions wanted

[twogts4us]

I'm in need of tires for my 04 Mach 1. I currently have 315/35 - 17 and 275/40 - 17 Sumitomos - they are about done. I have no traction and never really had great traction with these inexpensive tires. Time to upgrade.
I'm really leaning toward the Nitto NT05 all around. I've also heard some people mention putting the NT05R out back, but I want to be able to drive in the rain, if needed, though I do avoid driving in the rain whenever possible.
My driving style? Spirited. I love to toss the car around and push it to its limits. I don't drag race, but I don't like being beat off the line at a stoplight simply because I cannot get into the throttle aggressively due to (way too easy to invoke) tire spin.
What kind of mileage can I expect from the NT05? Anyone else have any other options / opinions?
Thanks!
Chris

 

[007]

I'd recommend KDW2s. Only tire I will ever buy for my stang. They bite the road when cold, and they are ok if you get stuck in even heavy rain.

 

[txredgt]

I'd recommend KDW2s. Only tire I will ever buy for my stang. They bite the road when cold, and they are ok if you get stuck in even heavy rain.

I have had much better luck getting more miles out of my nittos than the bfg's. Granted I have 555's but the bfg lasted around 25k. I still got life in my 555's and I have over 30k on them.

 

[TeufelGt]

I have the nt05s.. I dont do burn outs or donuts (tires cost way to much). I cant speak for the grip on the nt05rs but the nt05s were fine when I first bought them. I had confidence in rainy conditions (though I do drive cautiously still). the only real con is they have wore down quickly. Ive put maybe 8k on them. They probably have about 30-40% of life left if that. I am not as happy with them as I was with my kdw2s or my old 555s, but I wasnt making the power I am now with either of my old pairs so I cant give a complete comparison. Im moving back to the 555s in the springtime though.

What kind of power are you laying down?

 

[evolucion311]

Can't comment on the NT05's but I have the NT555's and they stick to the road like glue. Wet performance is decent.

 

[twogts4us]

regarding the KDW2, frankly they are fugly. That flower petal pattern is, IMO, just weird looking. A couple of years ago I would have quickly chosen the 555, but I thought the NT05 was new and improved..? While I don't expect 40K miles, I'd hope to get 20 out of em..?

 

[TeufelGt]

regarding the KDW2, frankly they are fugly. That flower petal pattern is, IMO, just weird looking. A couple of years ago I would have quickly chosen the 555, but I thought the NT05 was new and improved..? While I don't expect 40K miles, I'd hope to get 20 out of em..?

If you plan on beating the crap out of them, I dont think you see 20k in any lol. But in all seriousness I think the 555 is a better all around tire, if you like to take the car on road courses id go with the nt05s. Straight line my nts dont grip for sh##. this is why I asked what kind of power youre putting down. They handle water pretty dang well, I daily my car (444/489) and have driven through a few hard rains without getting loose (dont recommend pushing them in the rain). They wear pretty quickly like I mentioned before.

If you want a tire that will take a beating and last, go with the 555. Because the nt05 has basically shown the wear of a drag radial without supplying the same grip in the straights.

 

[twogts4us]

303 RWHP, and I have more fun pushing it into corners than I do dragging. My biggest issue I want to cure is the ability to spin 2nd gear madly (let alone 1st gear) - albeit fun sometimes, if I am trying to pull on a competitor, I'd be left in the dust.
I don't beat my car - in fact most of the time I just cruise. (Realize I am 46 years old...and while I still enjoy acting like a kid, it's not as often as it once was..!)

I am really surprised at the lack of support for the NT05 - I love the look of them, but if they are a 10K tire, I'm hesitant. I'd like to get 2 years out of any set of tires. Maybe I should just plan on the good ol' 555's..? Are there any other choices?

 

[2vNotch]

555 up front and 555r out back!