[*]Backyard Special lowered seat rails - I'm 6'3" 190 lbs and just barely fit in the S. Often though, I've noticed the top of the windscreen blocks my line of sight for traffic lights, forcing me to crane over/under while waiting. Lowering the seat ~1.5" would fix this 80% of the time and give me better sight lines overall. I'm also considering the infinitely cheaper DIY mods I've read about on this forum, but I'm scared about the hammer part (it seems like something Jeremy Clarkson would do and unintentionally ruin the car). Retaining forward/backward rail motion is important to me as well.

It's 20mm lower but it's worth it. Night and day difference between the amount of room your knees gain by not being in the steering wheel. I'm about your height, wish I didn't wait as long as I did to buy them either.

 

I know you were going with stock'ish, but the voodoo shift knob was one of the best/cheapest/subtle mods.

 

^^agree with the countersunk shift knob, I love mine (except when it's blazing hot or cold outside

 

Thanks for the input guys! I'm going on an long road trip in three weeks (8 hours there, 8 hours back) with a passenger so the stereo is my first priority. Here's what I've ordered so far:
- Pioneer DEH-P4100UB head unit
- Pioneer TS-A1604C component speakers
- USB cable plug mount from autotoys.com
- Modifry Dash Control Interface for Pioneer
- Modifry Adapter Harness
- Modifry S2000 glove box organizer

I've been sold on the superiority of Alpine units and their ease of installation with Modifry's P2P harness, but I really want to be able to control music from my iPhone/iPod (passenger control mode) while I'm at a stoplight or highway cruising. That's why I went Pioneer over Alpine.

As for exhausts, I can hear slight differences between FLR, Comptech, & Mugen, but I honestly can't pick out a favorite. The only reason I'm getting an exhaust is because the current one on my S makes me feel like I'm in the Yakuza... so price is a big consideration.
FLR - $800
Comptech - $1000
Mugen - $1800
That's why I decided on the FLR.

Lastly, I suspected there weren't any performance mods a driver of my experience should be bothering with but thanks for confirming this.

 

While you're upgrading the stereo & speakers, you should look into a JL Audio Stealthbox. I just wrapped my spare tire tools together and threw them in with my spare tire and made sure they didn't rattle. Best of both worlds honestly.

 

I loved how my hks hi power dual sounded, it was very civilized for a daily driver. Though um not too sure how well it flows or the weight, but for a stock car it wont matter too much. I also agree on the addition of a counter sunk knob, huge difference compared to stock. I have a moddiction anvil, and its heavy! makes shifting smooth

 

I'm so glad I bought my car with a test pipe, o/w I would have thought it needed an exhaust- stock exhaust + test pipe ftw!!