Don't know if I'd call these good tires, but from recent past (I can't recall the names of the older tires from cars long ago, and they don't make them anymore anyway), these tires were acceptable, though not great:
- 2006 Toyota Sienna - Michelin Energy LX-4: Decent rain traction, but get slightly aggressive with your driving and all bets are off. Quiet at first, but they are now very noisy (and are practically done their life).
- 2003 Volkswagen Golf - Goodyear Eagle LS: Decent in the rain, while I can't rave about great performance, there wasn't much to complain about either. The set met their demise when there was a puncture in one tire, which happened during the last season I planned to use them, and I figured I wouldn't bother repairing it (on that car at that time, it would have seen only a couple of thousand miles through the summer).
One recent tire was downright dangerous in wet conditions, and hands down the worst OE tire I've ever used:
- 2002 Mazda Protege - Bridgestone Potenza RE92: Wow, these tires have a way of transforming a wet road surface into feeling like you are driving on sheer ice. Horrible, white knuckle experiences with these if driving on the freeway when it's wet out. Not to mention they were quite loud from day one. The winter set was actually quieter than these. They seem to have a horrible reputation, no matter what OE incarnation they came in. Hopefully they've been retired.
For my next new vehicle, I am seriously considering making a deal with the selling dealer to give me credit for the OE tires, and have them provide me the tires of my choice before I take delivery.