In my opinion the OEM Miata shifter is not ideal for comfort or performance driving because of the height and angle of the shifter. I don’t find it pleasurable to constantly shift only using my wrist and when I’m attempting to up/down shift quickly, I either miss a shift or occasionally find myself in the wrong gear. As a result of my frustration I needed to find a solution to my OEM shifting problems.
At first I tried the Cobalt short shifter hoping it would help. It made matters worse. The only difference between the Cobalt and the OEM shifter was the length of the shaft, the Cobalt being shorter. Going shorter was not the answer. It felt like I was reaching into a bowl to pull shifter lever. The Cobalt SS was not practical and not too comfortable. The Cobalt short shifter was quickly removed and replaced with the original factory shifter.
I then tried a variety of shift knobs to attach to the OEM shifter. They helped some but, did not give me the comfort, leverage, and engagement feel I’m seeking.
My continued search led me to the Miata Roadster ‘Tall-Angled’ Short Shifter. At $175 it was not cheap but, I decided to make a purchase and give it a chance. It did not disappoint. The MR SS comes with a plethora of parts (including new OEM gaskets, boots, and seals) and detailed, well organized, illustrated instructions. The installation was easy, straight-forward, and took me roughly 20 minutes.
The Miata Roadster ‘Tall-Angled’ Short Shifter version places the shift knob at the perfect height and angle. With the MR SS I shift with my arm and not my wrist. The result is an enormous amount of additional leverage for positive shift engagements and a ton of extra comfort. The shifter throw feels like it has been reduced a little bit, even with a longer shaft. I really enjoy shifting with the MR SS and I have not missed a shift yet. The comfort, leverage, and feel are awesome. In my opinion, this is the best shifter on the market for the Miata.
Mike
At first I tried the Cobalt short shifter hoping it would help. It made matters worse. The only difference between the Cobalt and the OEM shifter was the length of the shaft, the Cobalt being shorter. Going shorter was not the answer. It felt like I was reaching into a bowl to pull shifter lever. The Cobalt SS was not practical and not too comfortable. The Cobalt short shifter was quickly removed and replaced with the original factory shifter.
I then tried a variety of shift knobs to attach to the OEM shifter. They helped some but, did not give me the comfort, leverage, and engagement feel I’m seeking.
My continued search led me to the Miata Roadster ‘Tall-Angled’ Short Shifter. At $175 it was not cheap but, I decided to make a purchase and give it a chance. It did not disappoint. The MR SS comes with a plethora of parts (including new OEM gaskets, boots, and seals) and detailed, well organized, illustrated instructions. The installation was easy, straight-forward, and took me roughly 20 minutes.
The Miata Roadster ‘Tall-Angled’ Short Shifter version places the shift knob at the perfect height and angle. With the MR SS I shift with my arm and not my wrist. The result is an enormous amount of additional leverage for positive shift engagements and a ton of extra comfort. The shifter throw feels like it has been reduced a little bit, even with a longer shaft. I really enjoy shifting with the MR SS and I have not missed a shift yet. The comfort, leverage, and feel are awesome. In my opinion, this is the best shifter on the market for the Miata.
Mike