Yes, the Goodyear GSD3 275/40/18s are still made right here in the USA. Everytime I wash the car I see that and it just plain goes well with an American sportscar that is made in Kentucky. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the D3s are one of the best all-around tires in the world, bar none. My previous pair cost me about $7.00 per month. I wouldn't even think about saving a couple of bucks for less capable tires, but hey, that's me!

By the way, even though the Tirerack is out of stock, Discount tire has plenty in their Arizona facility.

 

GS D-3 I have had them on two Vettes....

 

I'm far from a flag-waver IMO, however ..........
Goodyear has chosen to build their new World Headquarters right here in Northeastern Ohio while many manufacturers are running to Mexico and various foreign countries while many whine about our U.S.economy? I have to hang with Goodyear as I applaud their commitment to THIS country
I've stayed with the OEM's and never perceived any noise issues although I don't have any other brands to compare to. Really, what I primarily hear in the Vette is ARH longtubes and Corsa Indys

 

I made the mistake of buying a pair of Kumho ASXs for the rear of my car, to save a few bucks, and I hate them! I needed new fronts a few weeks ago and this time I decided to spend a little more and go with some Goodyear F1 all seasons and I love them! I will probably replace the Kumhos with these tires as well this fall, even though they'll still have tons of tread left. I just don't want to go through another winter with the Kumhos, they sucked bad in the snow last year even when they had full tread, so it only gets worse from here.

If I didn't drive in the winter, I would've gone with the GSD3s, I had a set on my previous car (95 Firebird Formula) and loved them!!

 

Very good tires for sure.

 

My Dad always told me that it's better to save a little bit longer to buy a better product. In the long run, the extra cost per month or year is almost always insignificant. I do tend to push tires and brakes to their limit more often than the average Joe, so that philosophy certainly applies to me. Thanks for your comments, everyone!

 

what happened at Goodyear???...they used to have the GM market sewn up...I always bought Goodyears for all my cars but lately all I see on the new cars are Kumho and the like...it is more than price too...even the newest Corvette has Michelins right???...
Bill

 

It's laughable when you read posts about some owners who think they are saving a ton a money on tires like Kumho, Copper, Continental, etc. They replace them twice as often and can't seem to figure out it's costing them as much or more in the long run. The performance isn't there either. Most of these brands are not a true run flat and the tire compound is not rated for anything below freezing - where is the gain?

 

Hey Mike, that's great on Goodyears HQ, we need the jobs to stay here, too bad Bridgestone/Firestone doesn't feel the same. Most the sites have been "removed from the list." Akron I think is still on the short list, but probably not for long.

 

This is true; an independent testing lab recently found that the GSD3 wears significantly slower than many other super-high performance tires made by other manufacturers. It really isn't difficult to make a sticky tire - the hard part is making one that lasts more than 10,000 miles.

 

GSD3s are great tires, but back when I bought my last set they ddin't make a size for the rear of a Z06 so I went with a 2nd set of Kumho Ecsta MXs... which are amazing tires (not like any of the lesser Kumhos). That said I think I'll go with some GSD3s for my next set.

Oh... and I just put a set of Kumho Soluses on my truck... they're great tires and last 85,000 miles

 

I dion't think I've heard a bad word said about the GS D3's here on the Forum Dave

I have to agree on the Kumhos. A bargain basement price but last half the time.

Looking good

 

Got to support American co.

 

Way to support the U.S. and a great company! That is one of the reason I put Fikse wheels on my Z!
Just for the record GY, Cooper and Kelly Springfield all manufacture tires in the U.S.

 

I have Kumho runflats on my 97 and they are quite a bit quiter than the OEMs. I have never tried the ones you mention but the Kumhos I have are excellent tires. I don't drive in the snow however so I cant comment on that. I am usually a flag waving buy American person but in this case I could not find a comparable tire for the same money and so far they are handling and wearing very well.

Just curious how many people are flag wavers on tires but purchase foreign cars? Just curious.

 

Congrats on your new tires. I'm glad you like them. But before you become too enamored of Goodyear you might want to remind yourself that making and selling tires is a business. It's done for profit, not patriotism.
Personally, I hated my GY run-flats and finally replaced them with at least 25% tread left. They were loud and they were rough riding. Traction was fine, but nothing that other tires couldn't match. Based on price and reputation, I bought a set of General Exclaims. I figured "hey, good tires, made in Akron, Ohio, and a reasonable price." I was right on two of the three beliefs. They are good tires. They were reasonably priced. But the rears were made in Czechoslovakia, the fronts were made in France.
When Goodyear can outsource tires to China or India or Mozambique and have them produced for less than it costs to manufacture them here, they'll be outsourcing faster than you can say "God bless America."
Whether we like it or not, it's a global economy and the lesson to be learned is get on board or get run over.
Glen

 

It all depends upon your definition of handling. The non-runflat Kumho MXs came in dead-last in a Car & Driver tire test. I would guess that the runflat versions aren't any better, but you like them, that is all that matters.

The priority for me is that the part(s) I am buying are of top quality and performance. If my only choice were General Exclaims and Michelin PS2s and both were made in another country, I would probably pick the Michelins, since they are much better tires. However, the GSD3s hold their own against the best of the foreign brands, while still proudly displaying their country of origin as the USA.

Also, to me, a Hyundai or Kia would look great with Kumho tires, but I just couldn't accept a american icon with giant Kumho or Sumitomo letters on the side. Would it look cool if a Corvette had a mirror strip across its windshield with "Yokohama" written on it? I think not.

So to answer you question: If an american car meets or beats a comparably-sized foreign car in economy and/or performance, as well as reliability (especially if the wife or daughter is to drive it), then certainly, I'd pick the american car.

My order of preference:
American manufacturer/made in America
American manufacturer/made in another country
Foreign manufacturer/made in America
Foreign manufacturer/made in another country

Let's face it; sometimes we don't have a choice with some products.

 

Enjoy those new shoes Dave

Chuck

 

You know what is really kewl too, my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZPs says the exact same thing on the side, "Made in U.S.A."

 

That is true. I don't push my car that hard so they are more than a match for me.

Good point but I bet we would both be suprised at how many parts that are in the Corvette that are made overseas.