Buy the Conti's! They feel great, hold the road well, and hold up well. Who said they don't last long?
I got about 1300 miles out of the Grand Prix 3000's, and that's around here, which includes anything from a very few roads with perfect pavement, to lots of tarred and chipped roads, to even some hard packed dirt and cinder.
And not to jinx myself, but no flats, either.
I'm going for the 4000's when this pair wears out.