#1: Factory alignments are many times crap. Find a shop with a good rack, load up the car like you normally drive it (ie; sit in it) and have them perform an alignment. A tad more toe in will increase straight line stability.

#2: The recirculating ball steering and low steering ratio really destroys sporty road feel. The car seems to perform your suggestions as opposed to actually being under your control. I haven't got around to searching for a solution (limiting power assist, raising steering ratio) to this yet.

#3: The tires are not summer performance tires. They are light on response and not much better in any other area. I can't wait to burn them off and replace them with a stiff & sticky summer performance tire.

Watch your pressures, don't let them go too low.