The control and elegance of a manual transmission are unparalleled. True driving means manually changing gears. Though a good clutch will last you years, the shift boot is another matter entirely. The shift boot is that pouch of fabric (usually vinyl) that covers where the gearshift meets the transmission. When the shift boot looks like it's seen better days, it's time to replace it. Save your nickels and dimes and just make your own. It only takes minutes.
Unscrew the gear shift knob.
Use a standard screwdriver to pop off the center console holding the shift boot in place.
Pry the old shift boot off.
Cut a small hole in the center of your new fabric. It only needs to be large enough for the gear shift to fit through.
Place the fabric over the gear shift and snap the center console back in place.
Tuck any loose fabric into the console.
Screw the gear shift knob back on.
