summer performance and autocross tires
For now I purchased a set of Firestone Firehawk AS tires. I went with 215-60-16 for the front and 225-60-16 for the rear.
I wish Blu wasn't checked out. I think he would have had good input.
My gut says the tires you bought aren't really much better than a standard all season. With a 480 tread wear I bet they are pretty hard and will probably wear fine but are more for someone that feels sporty once in a while but other than that just want to run to the store or pick up the kids.
Probably a great all around tire, but I think the "performance" is probably a marketing play. Kind of like putting "gluten free" on a potato chip bag.
I do have to say they are probably better than most of the other "performance" tire offered in the 215/60R16 size though. Tirerack's performance offerings are limited to all-season options only, and all but one have a higher tread wear rating than the Firehawk AS.
I think you really need(ed) to step up to a 17" or 18" wheel. Then you could get a real performance tire with a 300 or similar tread rating without having to run a shorter tire.
Buy some cheap 17x8 Mustang wheels and run some decent 245/45R17 performance tires and I bet it would give you all that you are looking for and it would be cheap and easy assuming you don't have tie rod inference issues.
If you want to make sure to clear everything, run a 245/40R18 tire all around. You will still have almost the same diameter as the 215/60R16 tire, just under 4" of sidewall (so not a rubberband) and there are 78 performance tire offerings in that size on Tirerack.
Just my thoughts.
