Gave the shifter a trim

[rslaback]

I've always hated how tall most of the mtx shifters are in cars from the 2000s. It feels super high to me almost like you're driving a truck. Right after I bought my 2008 Mazda 3 I cut out 2 inches of shifter shaft and welded it back together. This week it was finally time to be brave enough to do give the 2004 New Beetle Convertible trim as well.

I went with a shorter shift knob and a new boot after cutting 1 1/4" off the top of the shaft. It still feels maybe a bit tall but I'm happy with the change for now.



It's important to note that this does not make this car a short throw shifter. It's just physically shorter.

 

[CraigStu]

I like to see a guy who doesn't just blindly accept whatever the manufacturers sell. Who knows what their customer surveys told them but it didn't work for you so you fixed it. That looks good to me.