I sold my highly modded (turbo, coilover susp., katzkin, rollbar, etc.) 1990 miata (and traded my 2000 outback) to buy my '04 Cooper.
The miata had lost it's "fun to drive-ness" after all of the modifications. It was very fast with over 220 wheel horsepower, and 200 ft. lbs. of torque (2300 lbs with full gas tank) but the fully programmable ecu caused me to fiddle more than drive! When our daughter was born, the car sat in the garage for nearly a year... The Outback was the worst car I have ever driven in snow (I've driven other Outbacks and Imprezas that were great) and I refused to put my daughter in it during the winter. It was a good car otherwise, but quite uninspiring to drive.
I found what I wanted in the Cooper. Similar in performance and feel to the miata when stock (although the Cooper handles better), yet all 3 of us can enjoy it together! I haven't had the Cooper in the white stuff yet, but the Blizzaks are sure to help. I nearly ordered a stripped S, but bought the Cooper loaded for the same money.
Best 4 seat miata ever built!