my 997S has about 1200 miles on the clock now. i love this friggin' car, but periodically i have trouble shifting into first gear, like it's really stiff and won't let me engage the gear. the owner's manual does mention stiffness while shifting gears on brand new cars, and says that the stiffness will eventually go away. i only have this problem with 1st gear. typically when this happens i release the clutch pedal, depress again, and attempt to engage the gear. most times this works and i'm on my way.

anyone else experience this? what do you all think? i can't imagine i have a bad synchro.

 

happens all the time

 

phew!! exactly what i needed to hear. ok, i can sleep now. thanks!

 

Happened to me a few times during the first 1000 miles or so. There's nothing more embarassing than being stuck at a stop light trying to get a car into gear while the top is down.

 

I had the same problem when my car was new, to the point that it might take 20 attempts to get it into first gear. Took it back to my dealership and they replaced the gear box. Smooth as silk now...never an issue since.

 

Had the same problem, except with 2nd gear. After a trip to the dealer and the annual service there is no problem with stiffness.

 

I'm @ 2200 miles and getting into first is still a pain from time to time...

 

8500 miles and that **** still happens.. I know how you feel about the stop light situation.

 

Should go away. Happened to me for the first 2k or so, now at 3k the shifter is perfect in all 6. During break-in I did an awful lot of engine braking to work it at all times, changed gears all the time to not run at one constant engine speed, etc. Really exercised it - so maybe that helped to loosen it up. At 3k miles the shifter is perfect, the engine is incredibly tight and strong, burns zero oil...

 

You donwshifted into 1st gear? Is that a good idea?

I have about 300m on the odometer, first gear is definitely a bit stiff at times but more noticable to me is that it is notchy - even after the engine and transmission has had a chance to warm up.

 

1st gear is only an issue with the sport shifter in two instances:

1/ when the drive train is not up to "normal" working temps yet, it's definitely very notchy.

2/ when attempting to down shift from 2nd to 1st prior coming to a full stop, it's virtually impossible to slip it into 1st...

It's normal and I just deal with it. No biggy....

 

No, I wouldn't say I would downshift and engine brake in first - just working the gear box fully... At a rolling stop though I would go 2nd to 1st, then accelerate.

 

It's normal so I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts happening all the time. My Z06 used to do this as well.

 

1 year 4 months, 7500 miles - 1st gear is still stiff (esp when it's cold). Not an issue.

 

cool guys, thanks for all the feedback.

this seems to work well for me: while stopped, from neutral, go into 3rd gear, then into 1st. works ever time i have difficulty engaging 1st.