its drive by wire, so slamming the pedal is just like flipping the switch, there will be a slight delay and a calculated rise in rpm. I'm not sure that is what you are experiencing, i think maybe the tps, or throttle body needs done, its a more common issue.

The drip drip noise? comes from where? how loud is it? could just be moisture on the exhaust, but your about due for a timing belt, so do the water pump at the same time, and get it all at once.