Manufactured by American Auto Accessories
Sold by Pep Boys, Discount Auto Parts
Price: $19.99
I had one of those itches to get myself a new shift knob. Since I have a Miata 2000 SE, it comes standard with a Nardi Torino shift knob. Why on earth would I want to switch from that? A Momo or Titanium Voodoo perhaps?
Nope.
How about a $20 cheapo knob from Pep Boys? :)
I like my Nardi Torino, but I was looking for something different. They say shorter is better, but somehow for me, at least for pleasure driving, I prefer something a bit longer.
Removing the stock knob was easy -- simply unscrew it.
Installation of the new knob was easy, but required a bit of surgery. The knob requires a plastic adapter (included) to fit well, which is like a cap that goes over the shifter. However, with the adapter in place, the knob would not fit all the way down to the shift boot. A dremmel tool took care of that by cutting off the top of the plastic cap, allowing the shifter screw to insert itself all the way into the new knob. There are three little screws you need to insert and tighten to secure the new knob in place, and a black cover screws on the bottom.
How does it look?
| Before | After |
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| Click on image to enlarge | Click on image to enlarge |
Its a tad wee bit lighter than the stock wood trim, and about an inch and a half longer. For most racing fans, this would be sacrilege. For me, its just more of what I was looking for.
This knob is not "weighted", meaning it is light, which is my only complaint.
All in all, for $20, its not bad
If you have a base Miata and are on a budget and are looking for a new knob, check these out. They come in three flavors - wood, black leather and carbon fiber grey. They look cool, they are very cheap, and with a bit of work they install fine.
Team Voodoo and Momo should not be worried about this knob, as its not likely to dethrone either of them from their prominent positions in shift knob manufacturing.
I'll use it for a while, and perhaps end up going back to my stock knob, or maybe I'll spring for a cool Voodoo or Momo knob. Oh well...
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