Not quite sure I want to go THAT extreme, plus doesn't look like they come in 275/40-18.

I think I've narrowed my choices down to:
-Toyo Proxes T1-R (kinda pricey)
-Nitto NT-555 (don't know much about them)
-BFG G-Force TA KD (rockin' performance, but low tread wear rating)
-BFG G-Force TA KDW (affordable and still rated pretty good)

Anyone care to help narrow the field? Don't mean to hijack the original poster, but this info. could likely help him out as well.

 

If you want the best street tire for dry traction, Falken RT-615. And this was proven by Grassroots Motorsports mag against tires that cost >2x as much (including that the Goodyear.) They drove it on a track with around a 30 second lap time, and the 615's gave them a full second better than any other tire. If you want to drive in the Rain than get something else.
KDW2's or PS2's are the two best dry traction tires that do excellent in the rain!

 

Understood. Again, though; I checked around and the Falken's are not available in either stock or upsize for the rear.

KDW2s also do not have 275/40-18 and I think there are better tires for less money than the PS2.