[Vekke]

There is 3 times worse grip (braking distances) on ice with tires you noted on the first post than with real winter tires. If you have ice on the roads there is no sense to drive in all season (summer)tires. If you buy Nokian hakkapeliitta R or Michelin XI2 you have super grip on winter and enough grip on summer for regular driving. If your temperatures go above +20 celsius or 68 fahrenheits then you will need real summer tires.

Taller tires dont effect handling, if you have good tires. At least if you only go one size up. Going narrower will help winter traction and also if you can fit 14" wheels they are also a good option. Wheels+tires are cheaper usually.

With good winter tires that is as fun or even more fun to drive on winter than in summer. You can make easily powerslides in corners, also on FWD cars and do little bit of rallying if you are into stuff like that. If there is snow you can lean into snow banks etc. Nothing beats good rally stage with 1-2 inch virgin snow cover IMO, be the first one to cork it and you can be rally god (at least in your own head).

If you can afford to buy a car then you should also have money for decent tires on it...