Shove the lever any which way and notice the somewhat rubbery feel. The transmission is not for the crowd that likes a toggle-switch feel. The ride was stiff, dealing out too much punishment for many rumps, but reassuring the rugged butts of the world that S4 is no pretender. Be serious or begone. You can gracefully start in second gear instead of first, should your synapses check out momentarily at the stoplight.
Seats are taut, tight-fitting, as befits a sports car.
If you haven't couch-potatoed your backside into dreadful proportions, the seats are comfortable. If, instead, you've taken on that look of, uh, prosperity, well, S4 can make you feel young again, but you have to deal with the thin thing yourself. S4 is, however, a car to diet for. Beyond its credentials as a joy toy, S4 delivers on the details that please you after the adrenaline rush ends. You'll spy four widely spaced chrome tie-downs for the cargo net.