I have stock conti's on my '04, no problems with them for me. I have 15000 on them since I purchased the car, who knows how many total miles on the tires. Rears are to the wearbars and the fronts are great on tread but with some cracking on the sidewalls. 2 years ago I had no problem in 3-5 inches of snow when I was caught out in it. I have to save that they were great in the pouring rain on the interstate in Virginia\West Virginia @ 70mph. Too much money for the longevity for me though.