The issue seems, to get it covered under warranty, is getting the dealer tech to replicate. Naturally they will do a calm slow shift. Will the tech really drive it up to ~8.5k and do a spirited shift? I know this sounds silly but I can see one of my local dealers driving it up, shifting very slow and asserting that nothing is wrong.

Also, to recreate the 4th gear grind, that would call going into illegal speeds, for me at least. Can't ask the dealer to break the law...

I have the same issues and have noticed if I shift my 1-2 hugging the left rail it seems better.

on my previous car I had this issue in cold weather, and sometimes this happens on my 8, but only before it is warmed up and VERY cold outside. I have never had one problem, not one, when i do a little wiggle on the shifter between gears...

How do i explain this... Hmm... Look at the shifter from the side, it would be a cursive lower case "e" shape from 1st to 2nd, just a little shake it the neutral zone i guess.

This may sound stupid but i got through some tough times with my last car by using this method. Never felt sticky when I would do this, and it works for my 8 before the car is warm (when its freakin' COLD outside, that is). Try it.. or don't.. idk I do it when I have this problem its worked in 2 different cars of mine. Goes from sticky/tough to smooth, just an extra quick movement involved.

Actually I was poor and had no warranty, get it fixed if you can lol. Thats probably the best advice.

...wait a sec, I'm once again poor and out of warranty.. gotta love it.

Also, if there is a specific name for what I am describing please let me know. Smart-ass commenters need not respond. I mean, it REALLY worked for my last car, (100% of the time that i did it).

I had my sychros replaced 4 months ago at 30k miles. No problems. Had my throw-out bearing replaced just yesterday.

my 04 w/55k mi shifts smoothly up to redline. Reciepts in my glove say a married couple owned it with the woman signing 75% of the reciepts, so im assuming its been babied.

i tried that cursive E thing today... didnt notice a diff haha

Ah, it was worth a shot. Like i literally skae the sifter left to right between gears. I only use that method for cold weather b/c that's the only time i have a problem (it was only 17* F today, that's cold for the east coast) it's all i can do until my car warms up, unless i feel like using some muscle to shift. After the car is warm though I have zero problems.

Its a big difference from my civic where i had to shift like that ALL the time for a 5 month period before I came home from school and could get it fixed.

my 04 was having shift problems going from 1-2 over 20 mph... changed tranny fluid with Penzoil Synchromesh and RP 75/90 problem gone... shifts like butter..

is that with the engine up to temperature or cold?