2009 Mazda6 shifter feels clunky...

My 2009 Mazda6 daily driver with the 6 speed manual seems to be getting worse and worse. I suppose the best way to describe is that the feel is vague, and a bit clunky. Mazda service technician drove my car and said thats just how mazda's are, not really the answer I was looking for. I read somewhere else that Mazda motor mounts suck and that changing the gear oil out to a synthetic would make it miles better. It is almost to the point though that I am considering selling it as it is very annoying, and only started here recently. Thanks for the help in advance!

How many miles are on the car? Changing to synthetic lube usually makes the most difference on tranny's with high mileage. You should also check the shift linkage seeing as it's FWD. It may be a bushing or cable eating itself up. Seems like the dealer didn't feel like messing with it and basically said 'bring it in when it breaks.'

The car has almost 19,000 miles on it.... a bit dissapointing

I drove my wife's MS6 over the weekend and while the shifter is still quite good, I can feel and hear the vibration from the motor moving on the mounts. Debbie hasnt complained yet but I am going to locate the replacement mounts and swap them out soon.

Mazda does not know how to make a good motor mount in their newest vehicles

http://www.twmperformance.com/shortshifters/mazdashortshifters/mazda6shortshifters.htm

^I do not know if they have anything for 09's but they have great shifters^

http://www.streetunit.com/MAZDA_6_Motor_Mount_2009_p/sum6admm1.htm

^They do amazing stuff for mazda's^

So do you think that the motor mount would help?

I think it will help. The CP-E rear motor mount in my Mazdaspeed3 took a lot of the slop out of the shifter along with a couple other side benefits (reduced wheel hop, reduced engine movement, slightly more direct steering feel). They're cheap and easy enough to install.

Synthetics also work wonders on Mazda gearboxes. I use Ford Motorcraft XT-M5-QS gear oil in my MS3. It was designed by Castrol for use in balky Ford Focus gearboxes- perfect since the MS3 also has a balky gearbox. My formerly vague MS3 gearbox shifts slicker than greased owl E36 M3 now. NC Miata and RX-8 guys also love the stuff. Only downside is that it is expensive at $18/qt! Try shopping around your local Ford/Lincoln dealers and see if they will take a few dollars off the price.

Red Line and Amsoil also make very good synthetics- RL did wonders in my old GC Impreza and my N/A FC RX-7.

Its a shame I have to do this for a year old car, but I'm sure it will drive sweet once its done.

Or should I just have Mazda replace the stock one?

Yeah, soft motor mounts is likely the issue. Similar issues with my Protegé, and replacing the rear motor mount worked well. I saw the benefits that RexSeven mentioned.

It's probably always going to be a bit clunky though. Even after the motor mount change, the car doesn't shift as smoothly as my Honda Civic did.

I'm due for a gearbox oil change, I'm going to look into the Ford stuff.