Nitto NT-555

Price Paid:  $600.00 from America's Tire

Year / Model Reviewed:
1991 Ford Mustang GT

Strengths:
Grip, turn-in, road noise, wear, ride quality, price

Weaknesses:
Could have slightly better straightline traction in the wet.

Summary:
These tires kick ass. I purchased these in June after my old Kelly EVO-1's were toast. Since then I have put 6k on my tires, including in-town driving, highway driving, and racing. These tires have relentless grip. I am running 255/40/17's and the handling is unreal. On a stock suspension setup w/live rear axle, I can beat MR2's and IRS cars in the corners. These tires hold the road extremely well and are very very predictable. In wet weather they have excellent cornering traction. These tires are extremely quiet and very composed on rough roads. So far, treadwear is excellent. They appear to be brand new after 6k. Very meaty tread design, great cornering, excellent grip, everything you could want in a perfomance tires.

Similar Products Used:
Kelly EVO-1

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Forum

Year / Model Reviewed:
1986 Corvette Coupe

Strengths:
They look cool, easy to break loose if you're trying to show off.

Weaknesses:
They're just okay, nothing special, better tires can be had for the money.

Summary:
I got these tires nearly new on a set of wheels that I needed. The only reason that I got them was because they were mounted on the wheels that I was purchasing, and I saved about $1000 this way. I was initially happy with them as they seemed quiet enough at freeway speeds, and did okay in the dry. They're a joke in the wet if you have a car with any amount of torque. I can't count the number of times I've gone to change lanes or slowly accelerate up a hill and lost traction. It's irritating, and makes you look like you're trying to show off. I recently did a track day, and as I have no particular fondness for them, left them mounted on my wheels for the day. The first couple laps around the track I was very impressed with their grip. After they heated up properly, I felt the opposite. Though they lose traction in a linear and predictable fashion, they still lose traction way too early. A friend with a similar Corvette with Bridgestones the same size was able to carry over 30 mph more through one turn. For a similar price, I'd get Falken Azenis RT615's, or for a little more, and good wet traction, Bridgestone Potenza RE750, or for really good wet traction, Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3's.

Similar Products Used:
Bridgestone Potenza RE750

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Forum

Year / Model Reviewed:
1986 Corvette Coupe

Strengths:
They look cool, they're cheap, they're okay for daily driving, it's easy to break them loose if you want to show off.

Weaknesses:
They don't get very good traction, for similar money, get a set of Azeni RT615's

Summary:
I got these tires nearly new on a set of wheels that I needed. The only reason that I got them was because they were mounted on the wheels that I was purchasing, and I saved about $1000 this way. I was initially happy with them as they seemed quiet enough at freeway speeds, and did okay in the dry. They're a joke in the wet if you have a car with any amount of torque. I can't count the number of times I've gone to change lanes or slowly accelerate up a hill and lost traction. It's irritating, and makes you look like you're trying to show off. I recently did a track day, and as I have no particular fondness for them, left them mounted on my wheels for the day. The first couple laps around the track I was very impressed with their grip. After they heated up properly, I felt the opposite. Though they lose traction in a linear and predictable fashion, they still lose traction way too early. A friend with a similar Corvette with Bridgestones the same size was able to carry over 30 mph more through one turn.

Similar Products Used:
Bridgestone Potenza RE750

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Discount Tire

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Pontiac Trans Am

Strengths:
Tire Looks Cool

Weaknesses:
No wet traction, short tread life.

Summary:
I really like the look of the tires, but have a few complaints, the wet traction is just nonexistent. The tires do not grip when turning in wet weather causing sideways sliding, however fun it may be, it sucks when cops are behind you. Tires loose traction with my Trans-Am even when taking a turn in even in second or third gear from a full stop. Dry traction is good, but you can break traction without much effort even on dry roads. For traction I liked my old “BFGoodrich Comp T/A” tires much better. I’m not impressed with the treadwear I have just over 9000 miles, about to rotate the tires myself and my rear tires are almost at their wearbar. The front tires look very worn too. I would buy the “BFGoodrich Comp T/A” or “Cooper Zeon Sport A/S” instead of the “Nitto 555’s. again” I have a manual Trans-Am with out traction control, so if you have an automatic or are equipped with traction control you results may very.

Price Paid:  $129.00 from wheelexchange.com

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Nitto's 555

Strengths:
value handeling looks

Weaknesses:
a bit noisier than what I expected stupid name "Nitto" long term wear unknown

Summary:
I was worried that I blew it buying these tires for a 400 ft. lb. Mercedes E55 AMG rocket. Never heard of NITTO's. But since there is limited tires at a good price for my car and reviews were positive, I took the plunge. They have a great wear rating and the best price. So far after over 3000 miles I am VERY pleased. They grip to no end, no squeel and just to let everyone know I am a National Licensed race car driver and instructor with the SCCA (sports car club of America) so I know tires and how to drive a car at its limit, on the track of course ;-) I have tested the tires thoroughly and I'm happy. Doesn't rain much in California in the summer but I did encounter a freakish down pour on the way to Laguna Seca for a race and at over 85 m.p.h. in a down pour and through some deep puddles, not a hint of hydroplaning. The wide water channels on the shoulder aids in cornering in the wet, when loss of control is at its greatest. Also except of a purpose built RAIN TIRE, all tires will have some compromise in the wet. These tires, in my opinion, are the BEST value for the buck, hands down.

Similar Products Used:
Car came with costly Michelin Pilot's. They SUCK.