Jason, What's going on here, you only have 1200 miles? That's the problem, you need to drive more men!
I have the same problem, as you can see verybodys have the same.
So! Go drive that car like there's no tomorrow.

 

sup tony!

hey, you get your new bumper and skirts installed yet? that'll give me an excuse to drive my car over to your house.

 

This is exactly why Porsche does not bother making a better quality vehicle.....forums like this that insist that obvious problems are ok and not problems at all but perfectly normal. Kinda like the false belief that it is ok to burn 10 ounces of oil in between fill ups.

It is not normal for the car not to easily shift into first gear. Obviously, as the gears get lower, the effoct needed to get into the gear increases based on speed, but you should easily be able to shift into 1st at any speed below 30 mph.

If that is not the case with your car, then you have a choice to either live in denial and tell everyone that it is normal and one of the characteristics of a Porsche, or you can fix the problem.

You can also do more of what RONCT suggests and use the transmission the way it was intended to use and using the brakes less. It is not only better for the transmission, but your engine will love it too.

Just because a problem is common does not mean it is not a problem. I guess misery likes company and makes some people feel warm all over.

 

I'm at 1400 miles in 2 mos. with this car and I did get some stiffness as well. It is quite a bit diminished with some miles on the car, but I as well do downshift into 1st when speeds allow and like Ron thoroughly believe in engine braking and utilizing the full potential of the gearbox.

Dave

 

Stiffness while downshifting into first is one thing (which I don't do) but my car refuses to go into first from time to time when stopped at a light...what a pain in the *** and embarrassing to boot!

 

I have never had a problem getting into 1st gear in 8 months and 7,800 miles of ownership. I would be curious to see how many who have an issue with getting into 1st gear have a sport shifter.

 

good point.

 

Mine has done that since the dealer fixed the RMS...they ****ed it up...and then the REP called me to tell me it's normal !!!
"you've got some big gears in there"... he's a jerkoff...

 

i'm with you and Ron, i engine brake as often as i can, especially now while i'm still "breaking in" the car.

500, i agree. a pain in the ***, fortunately it doesn't happen to me too often, but still. damn, i stopped off at my dealership yesterday, i shoulda asked my sales guy about this. i'm gonna call him later and see what he says.

C2S4ME, i have the oem sport shifter.

 

With the regular gear box, ALL gears should shift smooth as silk . From day one . PERIOD.
I installed the Sport shifter myself and after playing with the cable adjustment , it also shifts extremely smoothly , but has a much more precise feel to it (sort of like a fine bolt rifle action )

I can downshift into first up to about 20 mph .Most of what I read on this thread is pure dealer BS .
If you have the slightest problem with shifter smoothness , tell them to fix it and don't take no for an answer .
The Porsche has one of the finest , if not THE finest manual transmission available in the world today and there is absolutely no reason why anyone should have the slightest issue with shifting .
To fix any of the above described problems, all that is required is to adjust a cable .It's as simple as that .

 

mine used to do it all the time but now its only when the car is still cold and maybe occasionally when its warmed through. i have 9k mi btw

 

guys,
i just took my new to me 05 997S and it showed open recalls ona few items including cable shifter adjutment for rough 1/2 gear engage. it also had recall on door wiring and oil filler tube. mine was an aug 04 build.

 

I don't think it is a year /build issue . All 997's have the same gear box.
When you look at how the cable is attached to the shifter, it is quite apparent that it's a hit or miss proposition.
Some of us get lucky and the mechanic get's it just right and with the next car it's a notch or two off, with a less smooth shifter as the result .

Either way , IT'S ADJUSTABLE , so there is no reason to put up with it.
Don't take any BS from the dealers to the contrary
(I know. I installed a shifter myself)

OK , I do need to add that obviously you can't expect "smooth as silk " when you first start a car in 20 below zero weather .At least not until the tranny warms up .

 

My car is in the shop right now! should be finish this week. I can't wait.
On the other hand Chris "synergy" will pick his up today, I am sure you will see the pic soon.

 

what a perfect common occurence, your at a light and it turns green but you can't shift into 1st, the idiot behind you hits the horn thinking your a dolt that cannot drive a stick!