I've been researching options for my '98 T5, and I hoping someone here can give me advice.

I previously had a '95 850 T5, on which I ran 205/55-16 Goodrich Traction T/A H tires. The car had a somewhat annoying combination of body lean and harsh ride, but overall I liked the winter traction (I live in Eastern PA) and stuck with them through a few cycles. I attributed the ride more to the car than the tires, as it is heavy and has a tight suspension.

Now I have a '98 S70 T5, and it came with Toyo Proxies 4 M+S 215/45-17 tires. The ride is rather different. It doesn't seem as harsh, less body lean, but the steering feels "heavy" - so much so I find it annoying. It doesn't want to turn. I haven't had it in snow yet, so I don't know how the current tires will fair. Actually, I don't like the Voxx rims anyway, and was thinking of going back to 16" (a set of OEM turbo rims came with the car). I was guessing these tires might not be so good in snow, but they are M+S and I saw one good comment about them somewhere (!).

I was thinking it was the 215/45-17 tires that cause the difference in the steering, but a Tirerack guy pointed out it could be my steering. I had previously looked at the dimensions, and I think the Proxies are 1/4" more in diameter and about 3/8" wider than the 205/55-15. The Tirerack fellow said he didn't think the dimensional difference would cause that much feel in the steering, and I am inclined to agree with him.

So, my main question is about that steering feel. Should I investigate this before buying new tires? Any comments/suggestions based on this rudimentary description? I was leaning towards going to the V version of the Goodrich tire. I basically want to dump those Voxx rims, so switching to the 16" is probably going to happen anyway.

Thanks for any advice!
Don
'95 S70 T5 57K
'05 V70 2.5T 47K, and I'm liking it more as I (have to) drive it.