It was just a normal start from a red light and all of a sudden my shifter has no resistance and the transmission is stuck in first gear. Does this sound like the shift linkage is broken or a more serious problem? Any help is appreciated.

 

Sounds like a busted shifter cable. It happened to me last week.

 

Happened to me as well, shifter cable for sure.

 

How much was the repair bill?

 

Get it replaced with the GT3 cable. It's a thicker cable.

 

Parts $ 167 and around 3 hours of labor

 

Damn, for a cable?! Ah, well, I can hear the peanut gallery already... "If you buy that car, you can afford the..."

 

Dropped the car off at the dealer today. Thank you all for your help.

 

I think this is the part:
http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...pn=99908462909

Nice to see my mechanic didn't market it up. In the end, my warranty covered the repair.

 

Thanks for the link to the exploded diagram. I guess it's more than just a simple piece of wire LOL

 

Happened to me back in May. Parts was $164.86 and labor was $465. I was stucked in third.....

 

Just got the estimate and sizquik got it on the dot. Part + 2.9 hours labor.
$800....
Ouch

 

Does going with GT3 cable and GT3 shifter make this a bit more reliable. All the plastic in the 996/997 shifters (short throw or regular) seem a bit fragile.

 

You can do better with labor charge. Maybe check with few mechanics.

 

I figured it's worth paying $200 more and getting it done at the dealer than an Indy. I had my 2 y.o. Daughter in the car when the linkage broke, and I don't want that happening again...