Besides alignment, tire choice and driving conditions will determine how long tires will last. If you use a "summer" high performance tire they aren't going to last for shit no matter how you drive. Your better off using "all season" tires for normal street driving and if you want that extra kick in handling buy a 2nd set of wheels and soft tires for short periods of use.
CivicSiRacer will agree that tires are a major factor in handling. Not only acceleration, braking is done through the tire. Brake pads and rotors don't stop a car, the brake system stops the wheel/tire which stops the vehicle.