There are a lot of things on the CR that can be done on the base S2000, for no/very little money. For example, Honda claims the shifter has gotten shorter, it did, but only by changing the shift knob. I used to have a CR knob in mine, and it felt identical to the shifting in the CR(only spent $40 on the CR knob).

The 'sound deadening' material they removed are the pieces in the trunk(near the spare tire) and on the underside of the hood. All these are, are your typical fiberglass/cloth blanket, that can be yanked right out.

As for the steering rack stiffeners, a pretty simple concept. They are 2 braces that go to each connecting bolt on the steering rack, also bought these for just over $60.

Anyways, just trying say, that the really only MAJOR things that Honda put on these cars, is the suspension and steering rack(AP1 ratio). This discussion has been beaten to death over at S2ki.com. So, I'll stop.