I just replaced my 2006 Mazda 3's Protenza Tires to Firestone's - Fuel Fighters. I chose to buy a tire with long tread wear and not go for performance. Big huge difference in the noise, smooth ride compared to the Protenza tires I once had. The car handles fine with these new tires. Hopefully the tread will last longer than what I got out of the Protenza's. Wasn't impressed with them as they were very noisy and gave the car a rough, clumpy ride. I keep my tires inflated at proper levels, rotated, and I have a lifetime alignment, but this didn't keep the tread from weariing out fast with the Protenza's. The Goodyears that came with the car were awful also and worse than the Protenza's.