If i could jump back in here and add my 2 cents worth again.
Firstly, when drivers own any particular brand and style of tires and have had them on their car or cars for years, and tested them out well in most conditions, then you can bet they have come to know the tires pretty well and how they perform all 'round. So in that sense, every body has a story to tell based on their own experiences.
For example, Dan has given his feedback on Cooper Cobra tires based on his own experiences. I myself have never owned or driven on a set of Cooper Cobra tires in my life, so i wouldn't have a personal clue about those tires at all, and therefore can't comment on them at all. Also, many people have given me mixed feedback over the years on BFG's T/A Radials. Mixed is the word, as the reports have varied from a terrible shocking tire to a fantastic, best tire they have ever driven. I suspect though that BFG's quality and design has varied over the years from what i have heard, and that might have contributed to varied performance issues or handling issues.But again, i have never owned a set of T/A Radials,except when i bought my Mach 1. They were on the car when i bought it. I would have only driven about 50 miles, when i removed them and bought a new set of Avenger tires, and so can't really comment on them as well.
I have owned and driven on many Cooper Tire's Mastercraft Avenger GT's and think they are are great quality performance tire all 'round. I really have faith in them and think they are a fantastic tire, based on my own experiences.That's my personal story, and i have no hesitation in promoting these tires to other people based on my own experience.
So where it gets interesting is where you get back to the major brands themselves. Doing some research, reveals that the Cooper tire company of America makes several different brands of tires.(see my reference) For example, they make Mastercraft tires, Mickey Thompson Tires, Cooper Tires etc. From what i know in general, the Cooper Tire Company of America, has a good strong reputation in the world market place for producing quality tires. So what end's up being rather puzzling, is you can get a Cooper Cobra tire owner like Dan, who really low ranks and dislikes those tires, and on the other hand you can get an owner of the Mastercraft Avenger tires like myself, who speaks very highly of them, and likes them very much. That i don't understand, but it is what it is i guess, and that's that.
At the end of the day, it pays to listen to all the people who have had previous experience with their tires to help make up your mind as to which tire you eventually settle on buying for yourself.
REFERENCES:
http://mastercrafttires.com/Tires/Passenger.aspx
http://mastercrafttires.com/Tires/Passenger/Avenger-GT.aspx
http://coopertire.com/Our-Brands.aspx
http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Passenger/COBRA-RADIAL-G-T.aspx
Greg.