Exact same here...after spending 3 winters of sliding all over with Bridgestones even with AWD, I ditched them for XT's at 33,000 miles. The difference is unbelievable.

 

Depending on the type of tire and conditions, winter tires DO help you stop faster. There have been numerous studies that have been completed.

But yes, it is still very important to take your time in foul conditions.

 

I kept my dunlop SP9000 sports car tires on all through the winter. They are summer only tires and offer virtually no traction in snow... but I would drive it only once a week when it was completely dry out. The civic reigns supreme during the winter.

 

True, it will depends where I end up living back in the U.S. I used to have Integritys but quickly switched down here to CrossTerrains (and the tires sold here have two more layers, but also more $$$).

I am looking at the speed and load ratings of certain tires (treadwear is also a concern) and the Pilot Sport A/S looked the best for me in the 18 inch category.

You should see the guys at my track who show up with street tires, and then pull out the slicks. I just could not do that to my beloved RX, no matter how much power I had under the hood.

 

My previous Lexus was a 98 GS300 and on that one I always switched to Blizzaks in late Oct. to about mid March. Had no real problem getting around in the winters of ND. Didn't take it out in snowstorms or blizzards, that's what my 4x4 SportTrac was for. Now with my RX330 with the Michelin MXV4 18" I have no problem getting around. Probably will leave in the garage during severe winter storms with lots of snow but so far these have handle everything we've gotten this winter (but it's been a better than normal one). As for ice or compacted snow, unless you have studded tires or chains it's still best to slow down. Most of the time around here the vehicles you see in the ditches are 4X4's and AWD's. Just plain driving too fast for conditions. The RX does very well with the snow and compacted snow on the roads on the stock tires. So far the worst that I've had to drive it in is a 6" snow with some blowing and drifting. But if it's really bad out there really is no reason to be out in it anyway unless it's an emergency.