quack_p

Does anyone else's shift **** look like hell? I washed my car today, and I noticed the shift **** has a bunch of little scratches on it. I can't figure out how they got there. The car only has about 3,000 miles on it, too.

Rhawb

I noticed the same thing today as well. I figured it would look a lot more like new after only 1300 miles.

rotten42

Do you wear a ring?

takahashi

Good to be short sighted.... :D

Buy yourself another one on eBay.

Better off for an full leather MazdaSpeed if you worried stretching the metal. How do you hold the gear, by the side like you are jerking (j/k) or on top??? LOL :D

Air Force RX8

The wear on mine is the silver plastic piece where the rearward point of the rotor shape is. Really starting to bother me having to look at the finish rubbing off a little at a time.

mysql101

the leather on my shift **** started to look worn out in some areas, instead of being black, it was getting lighter in color. I used some zaino leather conditioner on it, and now it all looks uniform and black.

TheDosDog

I wore through 2 ***** before I learned to shift comfortably without touching the plastic part of the ****. As far a looks, I have the two tone tan/black and think it looks great.

Rhawb

My wear is strange, it's worn on the top part (closest to the hvac controls), but I shift with my hand on its side using my fingertips, so I never really touch the top all that much. I do wear a ring, but it's never high enough up to hit the top of the ****. I'd swap over to the leather one if I didn't think the metallic accent on the top of the stock one was so darn cool looking.

quack_p

Rhawb, that's exactly where the scratches on my shift **** are -- right around where 1st gear is indicated. I rarely if ever touch the top of the shifter except to go into reverse.

I guess I'll have to be more careful. I've been babying the center console after reading here about so many latches breaking. Maybe I should wear a microfiber glove on my shift hand. :p

irish8

Mazda will replace this for you. Call your dealer.

- Irish

TheDosDog

Mazda will replace it up to 12,000 miles under warranty with little argument. After that it get's harder but I had my second one replaced at 18k

Rhawb

Sweet - replacement it is then...funny thing is, I don't even push on the top for reverse, I usually grab vertically and pull down. Maybe someone's breaking in and scuffing up my shift **** nightly. Knowing where I live, I wouldn't doubt something like that happening. :p

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

I noticed this also, so now I daily drive with the Mazdaspeed Urethane ****, and then when I want to show the car I put the OEM leather **** back on.

Mr. Ed's rx-8

i can't remember casue i haven't seen my car in a few weeks...

whats the mazdaspeed urethane **** look like?

takahashi

Here

Kinna nice...

SantozRx8

mr. ed im guessin you have that focus as your rental car, i got a focus rite now while the 8 is in the shop for recall shiz..... mines redish, note to self dont ever buy a focus

Mr. Ed's rx-8

yeah just made that my avatar as a joke till i get my 8 back. and you are right...don't ever buy a focus. i would rather peddle my bike places then drive this car. i did get a chance to test its mudding abilities yesterday and they aren't that good. oh well.

L8APEX

The top right side of my shift **** looks like crap after almost 20K miles. But my ring is what is hitting it, mostly when shifting into reverse. I am planning on getting the urethane ****. Does anyone know if it wears a little better? My stock one is also mildly stipped, I have only removed it once for cleaning. The threads are made of plastic and the threaded rod that it mounts to is metal... note to Mazda, bad idea!

Gord96BRG

My RX-8's shift **** looks perfect at over 15,000 miles, but I never touch it unless I'm actually shifting. No cruising along fondling the shift **** for me! :D

If you want an alternative, forget plastic or urethane - get a real solid aluminum shift **** from Team Voodoo . These are legendary in the Miata community, and for good reason - they are great looking and very functional, not just bling. The same shift ***** for Miatas fit on the RX-8 - I have 2 Voodoo shift ***** for my Miata, and they're a huge improvement over the standard Mazda shift **** - my first was a standard size crinkle black finish, the current one is a Magnum polished aluminum. I'm saving up for a titanium one...

If I ever wanted to replace the RX-8 shift ****, it would definitely be with a Voodoo.

Regards,
Gordon

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Those look nice. I wonder if the clear powder coat will wear off the Pearl one. It looks like it would match the interior console side panels. What do you think?

L8APEX

I liked those Voodoo *****, I just ordred a spun aluminum one, with the **** glove to go with it. i was wondering how to keep it from getting too hot in the summer, and they have the answer on the website for the engraver.

Overport

kinda plain as hell.

ive driven 6k miles and shift **** looks better than new.

NEWireless

Another owner surprised by premature wear.

This is after 27,000mi.

m82492

Anyone know if the Voodoo hand brake grips fit the RX8?

mdmaclean

Does one of the driver's wear a ring on their right hand?