just bought an 03 s2000, but it revs with no noticable vtec kick, spoke to the dealer on the phone
who said on the later models it was less noticable, and if there was a problem the engine management light would come on, I used to have an accord type r which had a huge kick, am I being fobbed off by the dealer. I've read about disconnecting the battery to reset the ecu but I'm weary of tinkering with something under warranty.

 

Did you check your oil level?? Try driving with your airbox cover off. This way you can really hear if VTEC is working. ...Otherwise I dont think the "feeling" of VTEC is any different between 03 cars and earlier models.

 

I have an 03, and to me the VTEC transition is not extremely noticable. However, I've never driven another S2000 into VTEC, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

 

a smoother, more linear vtec transition is better than one that is abrupt and very noticable. that means the car is making good power before 6000 rpm. my car had a very noticable vtec engagement in its early days, now it's getting smoother, but not slower. if anything, its more powerful than what it used to be.

 

Since going to synthetic lubricants my VTEC engagment isn't nearly as noticable either.However the car is smoother and pulls harder at all rev ranges. For me this was a positive trade-off

 

same thing here

 

Smooth and responsive. I drove a couple 01 models and the VTEC was more of a hit. The VTEC in my 02 that I purchased is more of a smooth transition but I still know when it engages.

 

the new 02+ ecu has something to do with the vtec engagement experience compared to the older models.

 

how many miles? keep drivin it hard, it will get better as the car learns your drive curve. when i first got my 02, 2400 miles used. it had basically no vtec. i was all WTF!!. as i drove it hard more and more and all the stuff stretched, the tec got bigger and bigger. my two cents. dave

 

At sea level, it should engage at about 6000 rpms. Maybe a shad less, but you should feel it.

Like was suggested, check the oil level.

In an '03 you should hear and feel it.