Reading about your adventures was pretty entertaining, thank you.My experience was bland (compared to yours) but very satisfying. I drove 33K miles on the same tires my 2006 GS430 was equipped in Japan with: Turanza EL 42 245/40 R18. The only time I experience 'harsh ride' is when I ride on worn-out freeways like I-5 near Seattle or in the most of California. On smother highways the ride/handling is superb, the road noise barely noticeable, and the driver's seat is the most comfortable seat I ever sat in.