Sport Shifter Comments?

Has anyone driven both standard shifter and sport shifter? Can you tell me if this is something that could be added easily after delivery? Probably will cost a lot more though. Is it worth it? I am just wondering if this should be on my list of mods. Thanks Russ

Easy enough to add, not really expensive, could be a d-i-y project, but why not wait and make the decision after driving the car. Second guessing Porsche development and engineering is not always a winning decision. If your driving requires maximum performance than it may become something you decide to add later.

Russ: I tried out both a couple of weeks ago, but not extensively, on Carreras. I am glad I ordered the SS on my Cayman. The throws are much shorter and felt more positive on the SS. It is an easy add, and if you go with the B&M, will be cheaper than the factory option. JHellow

Drove a Boxster S and 997 with the sport shifter and feel it is a great option. The normal gear shift is vastly improved from previous versions, but the sport shifter is even better IMO. You don't even need to drive a car with the sport shifter........just compare it in the showroom (if possible) against a car without.......you will quickly see the difference.......and whether you want it or not.

Thanks, It does sound like a add to my mod list. I will pass judgement after I get my car. Russ

I also wish I could of tried it - but I did order it, mostly because I have had other cars with a short shifting pattern and liked it. First to Second was where I most seemed to want it, but the standard shifter is great and I'm not sure you would miss it.

Drove a Boxster (987) a while back, and thought it definitely needed a SS. But after driving the Cayman at the weekend, I felt that it wasn't so essential (but still probably a nice-to-have). I was surprised that I found the shift different on the 2 cars - was this just me going mad, or are they different between the Boxster and Cayman?

Some magazines have suggested that the Cayman has improved/shorter shifting. So you perception seems correct. That is why it is best to wait and drive the car before automatically deciding to 'improve' the Cayman.

I don't think this issue has ever been settled. Is the stock shifter for the Boxster and Cayman the same?? We do know that the short shifter for each is the same item. I believe the literature for the Cayman said the shifterwas 'improved' over earlier/other versions.....whatever that means. I really can't see it being any different than a Boxster.Maybe the stiffer structure of the Cayman makes a small difference with the way it shifts?

Having no point of reference I was wondering if there really was enough difference to make it worth while. From what most who have tried the sport shifter it sounds like the difference is obvious. The upgrade seemed very reasonable at $765 I think? Russ

I installed the favtory Short Shifter on my 911 this summer and the difference was very apparent. Liked it a lot. Accordingly,I have ordered it on my Cayman S.

Short shifter for the Boxster S at Carlsen for $425. http://www.carlsenporsche.com/cgi/parts/2005020911532242 I'm pretty sure it's the same part number for the Cayman. Edited by - VicL on 12/19/2005 3:00:31 PM

Uber, Did you install it yourself or have Porsche do it. Mind me asking what it cost? Thanks Russ

Short shifters are great, personally they're a must for me. But I dont think its worth getting it as an option directly from Porsche. I don't think its worth the $765. I myself will get the B&M SS that only costs about $250.. I love the feel of B&M short shiftersfrom my past cars. I felt the stock shifter on the Cayman, it felt good but the throws are much longer than what I'm used to.

Russ, since I could not get it with the original build date, dealer said he would install it as soon as they got the car during the dealer prep work. I will have to pay the $750 butNO ADDITIONAL labor (I would think not!!). They are going to throw on clear markers as well for free........ (somehow I think I already paid for them...). You might ask and see. I looked at the install directions for the B&M and I am not sure I want to tear apart the interior. I have a habit of always breaking the little plastic trim clips ...and then paying $$$$$ to replace them.

Thanks for the comments, I am afraid it usually takes me 2 times to get good at something so I am sure I don't want to practice on my new car. I will talk to my dealer about the sport shifter after the car arrives. Russ

At least this is amodification that doesn't have a negativetrade-off unlike some of the other 'out-guessing Porsche' mods around.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /> At least this is amodification that doesn't have a negativetrade-off<hr id="quote" noshade="noshade" height="1" /></blockquote>I drove sport shifters in both a Boxster S and Carrera S and didn't like them at all. I thought the standard shift had better feel and precsion to it. While my sales manager suggested the sport shifter, he also agreed it probably didn't have as good a feel as the standard unit. Excellence Magazine had this to say in the new issue test of the Club Coupe: 'Less appealing is the normally optional short-shift kit ($765) in this particular Club Coupe. Maybe it’s a fluke; the action is less precise than any factory short-shifter we can remember...Notchy comes close but doesn’t quite describe its dissatisfying feel...The standard shifter in the 2005 997S we sampled had longer throws, but they weren’t excessive and the effort and precision were superior.' You should drive a car with the sport shift before you buy one. Edited by - BiggerTwin on 12/19/2005 6:00:40 PM

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Bigger Twin: <u> Good advice.[/quote]</u> We all should have to sign a statement agreeing to that before we can buy the Cayman. My comment is wrong. Usually I find that most people that try modifications on their car justify them after the fact because they made them not because they really added to the driving and usability experience. People that buy turbos and superchargers for city commuting for examplemust brag about performance gains after spending the money even if they never trigger them. How you drive and what you require are foremost in the decision to depart for what you spent 70US large on.[/quote]

Well that really says a lot, I will drive my standard shift and then try a sport shift before Ibuy anything new. The last thing I want to do is add mods that really won't serve me. Thanks for your thoughts! Russ

I generally like short shifters and put them on my WRX and M3. The BMW had a rubbery feel with the OEM shift and the UUC shifter made it feel much nicer andadded that'snick-snick' precision to the driving experience. The Boxster S that I fell in love with had the sport shift in it and it felt better than my Corvette. However, when I drove anotherBoxster S with the standard shift I didn't think the sport shift was worth the money. When I drove the original Boxster S again I found I actually preferred the feel of the stock unit. I followed this with a drive in a 997S with the sport shift and also found I preferred the feel of the stock unit in a Carrera. If the short shift was all Porsche offered I would drive it and be happy so my original statement that I didn't like it 'at all' was a bit of an overstatement. However, in comparison to the stock unit I felt it was a distant second and not worth more money to me. [/quote]Again, I recommend you drive a car with sport shift since I am sure some people will like the trade-off of some feel for a shorter throw. The sport shift didn't require much more effort than the stock unit and it was just a matter of feel to me.[/quote]

Interesting Thread. On page 31 of 58 of the Cayman S order guide is the option for the Sport Shifter. It is option XCZ and is $765. Under the description is says ' Sport Shifter, Reduces the shift throw by up to 35%. Note: Increased shifting effort'. This says it all to me. I added a Momo walnut shifter knob to my Mini S and it lenghend the throw 15%. I feel it is much EASIER to shift now. I think I would feel the same way on the Cayman. Its the effort and positiveness(is that a word?) that makes a standard or longer throw ideal.