Be sure to let us know how your drive went.
As for my impression, let me just say it feels like "the car was made for me."

 

the 15 minute test drive will only give you a taste. It took be almost 2 yrs to decied which sports car I was going to buy for my mid-life crisis, lol. I drive BMW, Z, the crosfire, vette, even considered a new Jaguar XK-8 (Kept my old one). A firend recommended that I talk to the Honda dealer and see if they had an S2000. They has a used one on the lot and loaned it to me for several days, I ordered a new S2000, and have been glad that I did. I have driven to Nevada and back, in the N. Carolina mountains and all over the state of Florida. I have never regretted it from the day I picked up my 2003.

PEACE and safe

 

And if you get an 04' there is plenty of extra low-end torque for everyday driving.

After driving a friend's 04', I noticed that it "pulls" just a little bit more than previous years, and it's just enough.

 

I agree. With the close-ratio gearbox, it's pretty hard to find yourself in a place where you don't have enough torque for putzing around town. To me, the engine feels a bit sluggish below 3K RPMs, but in any of the first 3 or 4 gears, you're not going to be below 3K RPMs very long. If you're cruising at 35mph and feel you need that extra pep, just keep it in 3rd. I usually have no problem using 5th, though... assuming I'm just cruising and not trying to overtake someone.

 

I had an '00 Civic Si and an RSX Type-S before my '04 S and I have to say the S by far has the best around-town characteristics. I drive it about 40 miles a day and I too had reservations about this car as a daily driver but I don't have a single regret. During the day I actually look forward to my commute... pushing the Engine Start button and watching the stress of the day disappear.

The only thing I miss about either one was the back seat, and that's what the wife's Pilot is for.

 

With all due respect, you would be missing the point with an S2000. Perhaps a 350Z would be a better choice. This is not a flame.

 

I used to have a 2000 Civic Si. I never thought driving around town was tedious.

To me, the S2000 is everything I loved about the Si and everything I wish it could be. I don't regret buying it at all and I never have any problem with using it as a daily driver around town.

I will agree with others and say the only thing I don't like about driving it in city traffic is the manual transmission. But I also don't think it's any worse than any other vehicle with a manual transmission that I've owned or driven.

 

I'll be looking at a MY04 S2000, haven't decided on the color yet. I LOVE the suzuka blue, but I'm not sure I could live with that blue interior. It would be a done deal if the interior was offered in black with that exterior color.

YankeeInDixie, I know exactly what you mean. When I had my Si, I used to look forward to driving it to work in the morning. I loved walking to the garage, getting in the car, and sitting in the seats. I loved the feel of the steering wheel. I loved the feel of the shift knob. There was just something about that Honda-designed cockpit that was just perfect for me. The feel of the leather on the steering wheel, the way the controls just fell in hand, it was really something special. I've been driving a BMW for the last 3 years and I can honestly say that I've never sat in that car and had the same feeling as the Si. While I love the way the BMW drives, I've never felt 100% comfortable in the cockpit, no matter how I adjust the seat, steering wheel, mirrors, etc... I always find myself driving without being 100% comfortable and relaxed. Perhaps that's why I'm going back to a Honda.

I'm renting an S2000 for an entire day next week, really looking forward to it. It was funny because when I called to make the reservation for the car the woman on the phone asked me if I was looking into buying an S2000. They must get that a lot.

 

Who rents them?? That might solve a problem for me.

 

Interesting, this recurring issue. The desire for torque is not to be misunderstood. I have an E500 for my other car and it is VERY nice to just push the pedal and boom away without any fanfare. Watching people disappear noiselessly in your rear view mirror. (we're not talking about cornering here) Some days that's just the ticket.

The S2000 is somewhat similar to the Civic SI experience, however without the "mid-corner peeling the front tires bald with on-throttle understeer" (if you've been there you know what I am talking about). In fact, I had an '88 CRX Si and I loved it. (in fact if that car could have been RWD it would be just SO hot!) I think the analog gauges in the CRX were better than those in the S2000 now.

But like someone said, the S2000 does get around town just fine (especially the '04). Its certainly not weak regardless of relative torque to the peak. Up to 6k RPM its probably like your typical Miata or something. I readily drive around town shifting at 5500 for the most part, and don't feel like the car is the least bit inadequate.

Now with respect to really getting up and going: You can learn the "I need to get around this idiot NOW" downshift very quickly (third is usually fine, and if you're under 40 or so, second is even more effective). It is kind of obvious however to anyone nearby, with all of the revs - that the car is working at it - and that you MUST be in a hurry. (Also it tends to be so much fun that its hard to let off, and the shift into third from redline in 2nd - well you might be going too fast - but hey if you're going to make all of that cool noise ...)

If that's not your style, maybe you should consider something like a 350Z or an SLK V6 (neither of which have the S2000s edgy, fun feel in my opinion). If that sounds like fun - this IS the car for you.