Hi Sean
Welcome to the dark side, I've had my 01 S for 2 years and never had any problems with the car apart from a annoying alarm niggle which I'm getting sorted.
I use the S as my every day car 70miles per day come rain or shine or Evan snow for that matter.
PLEASE use year S and don't do as so many other do, HIDE it in a garage and only to let it lose on a nice sunny day, BORRING!!!
I've fitted a cracking s/s sports exhaust and had the engine remap and few other little tweaks .
I never get bored of that noise or driving it.
I hope this goes a little way to put your mind it rest, have fun .
Mark