John, I will most likely take a lashing for saying this, but I agree with you. My car had very cheap (read hard) tires installed when I got it. The thing that limits me from pushing the car too hard is the tires let go before the car itself does. Basically, my car is limited by it's tires. When taking twisty roads at a "slightly
" elevated speed the tires will start to squeal and slip long before the car will. Of course, I grew up driving dirt roads, so I am used to a car letting loose in the rear and it is something I am very comfortable with. The kids call it drifting.......
As I am learning the cars handling characteristics I am getting to the point of wanting to get nicer tires, but I am glad for the learning curve. I think for me personally it is better to loose traction, get a little out of control, and get scared at a lower speed than to have sticky as glue tires and and loose it at a more dangerous high speed. Just my .02 cents worth. FWIW your car looks stunning!!!!! Mark