l have multiple questions between the two regarding overall fun/reliability/maintain/drive. I am trying to make a decision within the next year or so and l wanted some peoples perspectives and opinions. Anything is appreciated as long as its no biased ;) Thanks in advance.

1) l going to put this car on the track and have some timed fun with it. l wanted to know what you guys think of the WRX/miata on the track as far as handling/time(stock or near stock)/fun. Obviously there are two different view points to it as the WRX is AWD and the miata is RWD. From what l understand aswell, is that once you lose control of a AWD, it turns into a FWD in the sense that you cannot control it much. Also which car would you consider more fun.

2) reliability/maintain... whats your opinion on either car?

3) Which car would you consider more fun? I am sure this could get a lot of different view points from either owner.

4) If l wanted to take my car out on a canyon road or just a weekend drive, what would you prefer and why?


Sorry it seems like an essay. I am just in need of outside opinions. Anything is appreciated. Thanks.

Wow, great question.

l own a Miata & have for 19 years. But the WRX is on the short list of cars l would buy if l had to replace it. ( l don't, but just in case.)

I've got a friend who owned a WRX in 2003. Great car - it was like a jet engine on wheels. Very fast. But not the most reliable car ever. ( l will let the 19 years on my Miata speak for itself.) The other thing l would say about the WRX is that it is pretty spartan. That car is all about the engine.

1. Handling - The Miata is on rails. It sticks to the road. The WRX is pretty good too though. Slight edge to the Miata.

2. Reliability - Miata. Big edge.

3. More fun - This one really depends. If you're about going fast down the stretches, the WRX wins hands down. If you're talking about going through a slalom, l will give an edge to the Miata. The Miata has nowhere near the raw power of the WRX, but it is handling is better & compensates for that.

4. Do not underestimate the convertible factor. The Miata is all about fun & it is a more civilized car.

So here is what l would say.

If you're looking for a civilized sports car that has great sports car characteristics, the Miata is the one to beat in any comparison.

But if ur looking for something to get ur adrenaline going, the WRX is the way to go.

l love my Miata & obviously l am going to be biased toward it, but l love driving the WRX. It is got a lot going for it.

Test drive both of them & see what u think.

1. Miata, especially the 99 edition where the lightweight edition was built in US. Supercharge it cost u around 3000 bucks. You can enjoy either hard top for track or convertible on the weekend drive.

2. Subaru, not sure ur year, but the newer year (02 & up) seemed to be better. While 99 Miata has more room for u to DIY replacement.

3. Subaru, in snow.ohhhh..Miata, with a convertible, yes! l like my subby; but l still want to have a convertible for a weekend driver.

4. Miata.

However, l owned a Miata before, the year they made the lightweight BBK (wheel) edition; but on the track, there was a guy offer me a reasonable price for the car, so l sold it. The hard top cost me 2500 from the aftermarket (and paint). It was a yellow 1999 Miata, but l cannot remembered the production number.

My mildly modified WRX was eaten alive by modified Miatas at the track - l am talking a road course, not a quarter mile.
Brakes r a big issue on 2005 & older WRX. l almost mowed the lawn at turn 9, if u catch my drift.

As far as problems? l am at 40k miles now, & 25k of those were spent running high boost. The only issue I've had is a bad alternator. Oil changes every 5k, it runs like a top.

DO NOT get an automatic. An automatic wrx is mini-van fodder, l kid u not.

Losing control of it? l never found the WRX to be hard to get back under control. Hell, it was hard to get out of control!

Aside from really bad gas mileage, l like my WRX just fine. Plus its a wagon, & has a lot of utility. l do not drive it much anymore, since l have a Corvette now, which is tremendously faster & gets significantly better gas mileage. I've never driven a Miata as l am too tall, so l can not comment on fun factor there.


Mods l have now r just sti springs & cobb sways.