Is the Boxster normally a harder shift than other cars?

[soopster]

Just had my "new to me" 2002 Boxster in at the dealer for a service. This is the first and only Boxster I've driven. One of my complaints was the shifting. It was a little sloppy and the throw was too long for me but my major complaint was that as I went up and down through the middle between 1st and 2nd mainly, but also between other gears, it just seems to need too much pressure to get into gear. A bit of a hard stickiness as you go through the centre.

So they upsold me on the Porsche Short Shifter (not a hard upsale). I love the shorter throw and the stiffer feel of the shifter. The stickiness is better but still not what I would like. The dealer says the mechanic drove it and he feels it's normal for a Boxster.

Any opinions? Is the Boxster normally a harder shift than other cars?

[MartinJF]

Replace the oil in the transmission - you are due.

[Tool Pants]

Where do you think the transmission is?

[carguy]

I have similar issue. My shifting on my 2001 Boxster S is definitely more difficult than it should be. I have driver other Boxsters, including another 2001 S, that are much easier to shift. I have lubricated the mechanism under the shift boot, and also had a mechanic put the car on a lift and spray lubricate the rear shift linkage. It's better, but still stiffer than it should be.

Any suggestions, others that have had similar problem and found solutions?

[geoff]

Make sure your shifter cables are properly tensioned. You will need to swap back the stock shifter and use the Porsche alignment tool to get the cables set properly. Then you can reinstall your short shifter without disturbing the cable settings. I can shift my '01 5 speed with one finger and I have the Porsche short shifter installed (and no, my finger isn't particularly strong)