I have the sumimoto on my car. They did a much better job handling the rain. The FE didn't go any higher (remained the same, maybe a tiny bit better) but the handling of the car did improve. My only complaint is that they are a little louder than OEM. This is not a all weather tire though, so traction in the snow is not that great. I have a winter set for that time period. The combined cost came close to what the OEM tires go for, so you are not paying a penalty for 2 sets really... not to mention the tire last a whole lot longer.