My car is stuck in gear and the shifter moves freely. I took off the center console to view the shifter cables and looked at the transmission and the cable is in tact on both ends, so I figured the cable snapped somewhere in between. It does not seem like it should be that difficult to change but I have never done this on a 98 Boxster. Can anyone offer some advice in the process of how change the cables (is there anything extraordinary about this job or is it simply self explanatory?) and is there any special tool for this job? Thanks.

 

Are you sure the ball socket that attaches to the bottom of the shifter just didn't break? That is usually the failure point.

 

I believe so, with the console off, I can see that the cable is still connected to the shifter (if so, that would be the ball socket that attaches to the bottom of the shifter, right?). When I move the shifter back and forth, which is the only way it moves, I can see the cable go back and fourth, there is just no tension in the line, thus not enabling me to get out of gear. Is this a correct assumption?

 

Sounds like it might indeed be the cable then. I have never seen one break, but shouldn't be a hard fix. It passes down through the center tunnel to the passenger side of the tranny, so it shouldn't be too tough to replace. No special tools needed.