AAA, get it.

Tuning properly will result in a reliable, non exploding ride, though with boost there are always more risks.

I've gone on trips that were 750km each way in my car if that helps. The only things that ever made my car undrivable were a clogged fuel filter and a pinched wire. Neither blew the engine and neither were turbo related (wire was MS related).

I've had far more issues with previous cars that were unmodified but it's all in how you set it up.

 

I agree with everyone else. I've got a 96 that I put a BEGi S4 kit on. Slapped intake pipes on the pass side, 2876 turbo on the driver, and connected with the IC. Found a good tuner and have been DDing a 247rwhp miata for 2 years and 20k miles. Everything to do with the engine is stock (well except injectors). I never abuse it but you can bet I use it to the fullest extent.

EDIT: Oh and about getting stranded if it blows- you'll spend more time and money installing internals than if you just keep a spare stock block and get towed in the event.