Re: tires
I replaced the Conti Touring that were on the car when I bought it with Goodyear F1-Gs's - Have found them to be good tires, grip very well in rain, I don't hear them at all, in warmer weather they grip like superglue - I don't think they ride hard, Softer than the Conti's in my opinion. Only draw backs the I fell are they are pricey, and when the temp gets below 40 you can spin them like crazy until they warm up.
I will probly get another set of cheaper tires to get thru next winter with.
I would get the Goodyear F1's again!