All I can say is installing 215/60-14 sized Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires on my 2003 Cavalier coupe has improved handling dramatically over the crappy 195/70-14 stock Goodyears. Where before the stock tires would howl going around tight corners, the new ones make no noise at all, no drama, just lots of grip. The speedometer reading is probably off a 2 mph at most. It actual makes the car pretty fun to drive fast around corners. The stock suspension is still too soft for all out performance handling, but just this tire change made a huge improvement over stock handling. Ok, I'm not saying it handles like a Ferrari Enzo now, but it does handle as well as any entry level sport compacts.
If you can't afford taller, expensive rims in order to get performance tires, this is easily as good.
"...nevermind maneuvers lieutenant, just go straight at them!"
-Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar
