I use Toyo Proxes R28 205/40R17 80W tires on my MSpeed.   I make right angle
turns in intersections at 35 mph, and the tires don't even begin to show a
trace of squealing.  But, ONLY on dry pavement. On wet roads, I drive slow
and cautious.  On snow, which I've never seen, the tires are most certainly
undriveable (wouldn't dream of even trying).  Hell, they are practically
slicks.

Judging by your needs, I think you can get by with a lower
performance, much cheaper tire.  Check tirerack.com and look at
"high performance", "grand touring", and even "standard touring"
tires and check the survey ratings in the categories of interest
to you.  About all that you might give up in the safety category
is the braking traction ultra-hi po tires can have.  IMHO.

Probably not, though the rubber compound that provides the most traction
in cornering also provides the most traction in braking.  But then, you
would be in trouble if you put on the Blizzaks a day too late.

Dave's advice is right.   Look around on Tirerack.  They have comments
by users, and you can find comments on tires by Miata users on
miata.net in the product review section.  Take them with a grain of
salt, though.  Tirerack often has comparison test of tires that offer
much more objective info.

My Toyos don't last long.  But I try to give them happy lives.  :)

Leon

I have Falken ZIEX ZE-512 tires on my '97 and I love them.  Great in
rain and very nice ride.  I drive fairly aggressively sometimes and
though they're a bit soft feeling, they stick very well.  They're
pretty cheap too.

If your Michelins have lasted 50K miles you are indeed more
conservative than most Miata drivers!

I got a set of Toyo Proxes 4s because they were cheaper and easier to
find than T1-s's. They have all the performance *I* need and should be
fine for you.

If I were you mate I would do as the others guys said and just ask at your
local shop which tyres are on offer,
The problem with other people offering tyre advice is that, its all
subjective,
What feels soft for one feels great for another,
Plus if someone in California rates a tyre it almost definitely is not going
to feel the same in New York, then you take into consideration tyre warmth
depending on how you drive, how often people check the pressure, how bumpy
the roads are,
It is also very rare you see people mentioning wheel sizes, when
recommending tyres yet this makes a dramatic effect to how a tyre feels,
someone with a 17" wheel may recommend a tyre, yet in 14" size it feels as
soft as a marsh mellow in hell,
Also how fat some peoples wallets are makes the biggest decision my wheels
are 14" it costs 220 Euros for 4 Toyo T1-s's here in Greece, I've seen as
much as 550 Euros for 16" versions, so if I had 16" I'd want a lot more
miles per set than my 14".

Are you happy with your Michelins?
If so buy them again.
What don't you like about them?
Its all a compromise mate, for example better turn in usually means a
stiffer ride, better grip will mean higher wear rate.
And 99% of people that drive on the road never push a tyre's performance
anyway.

Take a look at the Tire Rack reports on the Bridgestone RE-950. I seem to
remember them as being mostly positive. I just checked my records and we
mounted those on the '90 over 3 years and 30,000 miles ago and they are
still going strong. For a convervative driver the RE-950 is quite nice.
Smooth, quiet and good in the rain. Of course my '97 is getting the Toyos as
soon as I can wear out the Dunlops.