Lol! I've tried to get my wife into a Miata for a while. If topgear says they're great I'm sure they are.
I usually use studded snow tires on the various beasts I drive but didn't have a spare set of rims for the 03, so I tried those Goodyear Ultra Grips or the rear and they are just the smallest whisker less effective than studs, they really work well.
Unless you WANT to do donuts

I do every year, drives the SO nuts
Pete