Ok, so after 17K miles of awesomeness from Vredestein, I decided to try another set of tires, for which I read many good reviews.

They are the Nitto NT420S tires, in size 275/45 19.

Tire specs:
UTQG: 280
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Load: XL
Speed Rating: Y

Large PIC of tire HERE.



Initial impressions:

Tread looks really nice.
Sturdy sidewall for cornering.

Have not pushed the tire yet at all, since its new and all. When I do, I will report. Giving some time to wear in a bit.

Initial impression in wet:
Got a chance to drive in cold rain (@ approx. 38F - yeah, it got this cold here in TX this week - freaking out here), and I have to say that the tire was starting to lose grip in the wet much quicker than I anticipated, and compared to the Vredestein tires I had on before.
Traction grip was predictable and not sudden, with warning it is about to happen (those of you who are tuned into your cars, know exactly what I mean).

Have only a couple hundred miles on them now. Will check in after a while to update.
In the mean time, some pics of the tires on car.