The CC2, is the better traction tire. I don’t like directional tires. They do not hold up well for folks that don’t maintain tire maintenance and suspension maintenance. If a directional tire gets wear anomalies, feathering, or chop, it’s going to make noise, vibration, and wear quicker. They are not forgiving for those that don’t keep up with the car. I didn’t like selling directional tires to customers. Too many complaints about the tires, when it was the customer’s fault they didn’t keep up on maintenance. But, I was the jerk.
If you are a Michelin fan, check out their economy brand BF Goodrich. The Advantage Control is going to be the middle ground between the CC2 and Defender 2. Symmetrical tread unlike CC2 and it’s picky wear issues. Better traction than Defender 2. 65-75mile warranty depending on speed rating. It’s cheaper than the Michelin offerings. It rides a shade hard, being the only drawback.