I know that I'm kind of late but I thought I'd chime in. I owned a AP2 (2.2 liter, facelifted, etc) S2000 and it is an amazing car. It's one of those cars that can always bring a smile to your face. Such fun. I wish I never let it go. The thing about that car is that you'll love it to death as a second/weekend car but not so much as a daily driver, especially if your commute is jammed with traffic.
There are so many pros to the car but it has it's faults.

Main pros:
- A driver's car. You need to learn to drive the car and when you are able to control it at its limit, it is extremely rewarding.
- Very tight and solid feel.
- Perfect steering.
- Great looks. Classic sports car look. Definitely an eye catcher.
- Very balanced suspension. Very nimble and more comfortable than most think.
- Convertible w/a fast folding electric top.
- Wonderful gearbox (until you start getting annoyed with the pesky 1st to 2nd synchro that grinds often).
- The thrill of V-tec kicking in.
- Spartan interior means business and looks very tidy not to mention is very ergonomic. Great seating position, nice steering wheel.
- Rare. It's not your everyday car that you see around every corner.

Main faults:
- Low on torque but low on weight so it moves well but who wouldn't want more, especially with such a competent chassis.
- Loud cabin. Annoying when you want a quiet ride home on the freeway with the top up.
- Mediocre sound system.
- Brakes that do the job but I'd want more from such a pure sports car. Give me some six pot calipers and some 13" slotted and vented rotors.

I've driven the AP1 2.0 liter version (2000-2003) too but I much prefer the AP2 over because of the several revisions (engine, suspension, brakes, interior, new bumpers and wheels, etc). The 9,000 rpm redline of the AP1 is not as important as the bump in torque in the AP2. I'd welcome even more torque. That chassis is excellent and can definitely handle it (look at all the force-fed S2K rolling around and the 2JZ swapped ones).

Someone mentioned the G35 and 350Z and they are both great cars but are sort of mediocre, not to mention that they are me-too cars. My father owned a 350Z a few years back and it was good fun. The VQ35 is a very torquey powerplant but with the weight of those cars, it needs to be. I favor the S2K over them because 1. It's gorgeous roadster (far better looking that the Z vert) 2. It's chassis/suspension is just as tight if not more and it is definitely more nimble 3. The gearbox trounces that of the Z/G cars. 4. Believe it or not, the seats are better. I would get back aches after a trip in the Z that lasted more than 30 min.

As far as comparing it to the Crossfire; frankly the Crossfire feels soft. This shouldn't be seen as a negative because it makes sense. The Crossfire wasn't meant to be a hardcore sports car like the S2K. It was meant to be a sports tourer. Because of this the Crossfire has a more forgiving suspension, a much torquier engine, luxury features, more cabin space, offers an auto tranny, etc. They are 2 completely different animals.

One thing to point out as a plus to the Crossfire in terms of performance is its grip. The pre-traction control equipped S2Ks will kill you in a corner unless you're a very skilled driver because it's back end likes to snap out very easily. On the other hand, the Crossfire has loads of grip and is more predictable in a corner. This reinforces the fact that you must learn to drive the S2k before you can really drive it fast.

My time with the Crossfire makes me prefer it with an auto while the S2K definitely gets the manual (as if I had a choice). All in all, they are both great cars for different purposes. Sorry for the long post but I can do car talk forever.