ummmm, which category do you fall in…I can't figure it out. Sounds like you're the typical "nsmb winter driver driving too fast" except you've sprung for some expensive tires which makes it all-right eh?
Not one listed. In between. I drive according to the conditions I see. If it's zero degrees out or nearing, I drop the psi from 40f/42r to 36 or less all around, leave the DSC on and dont even speed, or a night, dont approach the posted limits because I've both seen and experienced black ice. In fact, I lost a friend and coworker to black ice (she rolled her parents minivan on United).
Just because I sound like an armchair rally x driver doesnt mean I am. Also, just because I drive a turbo awd with mid range winter tires doesnt mean I'm an idiot. I love my car too much to damage it recklessly and also like the ability to drive and hold a license.
The Pirelli's were my first set of performance winters and I had the budget for them. They handled going up Nelson and Gilley in Burnaby in the snow admirably to the point where if alone and allowed, I'd feel comfortable trying to go up a snow covered Oxford in White Rock.
I opted for mid range winter tires this time b/c my passport was expired after the pirelli's were done (like Capt Picard bald). I needed winter tires and couldnt cross the border to save on tires. 1010 Tires in Richmond ftw. Removed and mounted tires/wheels in a half hour. I dont do all season even with awd.
All that being said, when the timing and conditions are right, I'll enjoy my car. Like late night in an empty parking lot b/c awd behaves nothing like a weighted 2wd truck in the snow (rwd = predictable). At least it didnt before I added fr/rr sway bars and a strut tower. I'm still waiting to see the difference in the snow since we havent any since I installed those parts and when dry the difference was easily noticeable and they're welcome additions to my daily driving as they've tightened up turning and emerg swerves.
protect tom mcdonald at all costs