Tires Falken or BFGoodrich

Put 215/65/16 Wildpeak Trails on my 2007 x2.5 last week and have similar sentiments as you. Big slower off the line and a bit stiffer but overall really happy so far. Got to hit a long gravel road out hiking this past weekend and the ride felt great. My old michellins would have me fishtailing on a corner over 50km/h, was able to take same corners at 80km/h with confidence.

I’ve got Wildpeak AT trails on my lifted bugeye and I love them! I got them back in November and took them in snow, mud, rocks, gravel, and pavement and was so impressed. They gripped so well I was able to pull my friend’s 4Runner out of a snowy ditch in my little NA Impreza! I cannot recommend these tires enough! They’re also pretty quiet on the road and are totally comfortable to daily on pavement.

I have the Wildpeaks and love them cause they are pretty damn great for just about any occasion or scenario. Between Subaru's symmetrical AWD and the Wildpeaks, it Handled it pretty damn well. I was super impressed with how well my car handled it.

I ran the RE71R's last year. I'm running the Falken Rt660's now. Its a very good tire that's on par with the Bridgestone. I'd say check that one out.

I’m guessing he is referring to the falken rt660. I use them on my fiesta st and am actually going to order another set next week. Pretty good tires for the price, great dry performance but wet performance is not great.

I'd be inclined to go with something like this : BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT - Size: 235/70R16 it is Severe Snow Service Rated and $136.99 @ Tire Rack

I also live in the Twin Cities and switched from the stock hankooks to BFG KO2s. Huge difference in the snow. I almost never had to switch into 4wd. Definitely would recommend them for around here.

In winter weather (New England) I’ve had good luck with BFG KO2

I had 512s on my cabriolet, and they were decent.

Hmm I did not know this. I can say I have had bad experiences with bf.