Debate: Was it worth spending $200 on a fancy shift knob or should I have stuck with stock?

So I dropped $200 on this billet aluminum shift knob for my Civic last month... thought it would make shifting feel amazing. First week it felt great, then I noticed it gets burning hot in the sun and freezing cold in the winter. Now I'm wondering if I should have just kept the stock rubber one that worked fine. What's your take - is upgrading these things actually worth the money, or am I just chasing a look?

3 comments

3 Comments

josephbailey2d agoMost Upvoted

Man, I went all out on a weighted titanium knob once and now I use an oven mitt to shift in July. Looks cool in photos though, right? At least your wallet learned a lesson about physics the hard way.

pat_roberts551d ago

Wrap that thing in a silicone shift boot or a heat wrap from Summit. I wrapped mine in a cheap leather boot liner and it stays cool enough to touch even after a summer drive.

pat_murray531d ago

What gets me is how we spend good money on parts that fight the weather. Back in my day I bought a metal shift knob for my old truck and same deal. Ended up wrapping a old sock around it for summer drives. My buddy laughed but he had the same problem with his titanium knob. He tried a leather wrap from a sewing kit and it peeled off after a week. Point is most of these fancy knobs are form over function. Save the cash for a short shifter or bushings that actually help. At least you learned now instead of dropping more cash on the next shiny thing.