Didn't the MY 00 2.5RS's come with a leather shift boot and not a rubber one? The guys at Subaru parts only found one that was a lower profile rubber boot than the one in my OBS. Any idea where I can look up part numbers myself?

Thanks,

Mark

I suggest you buy a wheelskins boot and do this mod here (http://wac.addr.com/auto/obs/shifter/shifter.html)

I have a MY00 RS, and, yes, it did come from the factory with a leather shift boot. Get a hold of Jamie (Subie Gal), she should be able to get you the part number for the leather boot, and maybe even a good deal on one.

Hey. Thanks for the responses...

Linsavy: Way ahead of you and I'll have to do it again! Unfortunately, the only aftermarket shiftboot I could buy off the shelf (Murray's, Autozone, NAPA, etc) was a "Fast and Furious" pleather shiftboot with lightup blue piping along the seams. Very high tech... Plugs right into the cigarette lighter. Needless to say I'll be repeating the process as soon as i get a real boot. I'd waited two weeks to install my Kartboy and wasn't waiting another week or two because the parts guy ordered the wrong part. Impatitience is painfull.

HH8R: I can never quite tell from the pics I've seen. Is the RS boot just black or black with red stitching?

Thanks,

Mark

messaged you some info :)

Jamie

The boot is all black. The knob and steering wheel are black with red stitching. I wonder why they didn't do the red stiching on the boot, too?

I suggest the wheelskins because it is larger and gives you more material to work with. Mine is plain old black, genuine leather.

Back in 2000 I ran a group buy on shift boots. I'm a Moderator over at www.s2ki.com (a Honda S2000 fan club... no I'm not an owner though!), and one of the Maryland members runs a side business as an aftermarket parts provider for the S2000. He started off making shift boot replacements in a much nicer leather from a company called Townsend Leather in CA. They sold like mad and then he produced leather center console cover replacements, owner's manual sheaths, then diversified to rear airscreen replacements, brake kits, badges....

It's www.ricks2k.com

But back in 2000, as I was saying, I wanted to have some new boots for the RS. So I had Rick contact Townsend, and after I'd sent him an OEM boot, they made a template. It was a long, drawn-out GB because production took so long, but basically you can order a boot in any color combo you want. Black with red stitch, blue with yellow stitch, blue and yellow leather with alternating stitch, grey, silver..... Whatever.
You can also get perforated leather, but in that instance the leather itself must be black. Stitch can still be any color.

They're $45 shipped and look/fit exactly like OEM, not the Wheelskins/Momo ones that you stretch over the surround ring and have to puncture to make fit. The Subaru OEM mounting method of glue and fastening clips is still a PITA, but at least the boot's an exact fit. :) You can even make one fit in the e-brake spot, replacing the little rubber lip thingie, if you're patient enough and stretch the leather a bit. (Ask North_Ursalia, he did it on his website www.ravensblade-impreza.com ... but I think he used an OEM boot...)

Anyway, www.ricks2k.com is the place to order. Go to the Shift Boot page and at the bottom is a place where you can get one for "other cars." The RS is listed in there somewhere. Email Rick directly at hesel@artsci.com .

I got mine in solid black leather with red stitch, which ended up being the most popular combo. I have a few pics on my PC but since we can't attach anymore, I'm sorry but I have nothing to show.

Although if you run a search in Private For Sale, you may find something if you look under my username and "leather shift boot group buy" from a couple years ago... A few people DID post pics...

-Chris