I just bought a 1990 300z and no less than 4 hours after I paid the guy, my car is not letting me into 5th gear sometimes, I push forwards and it grinds. After I get it home I drive to the store, and 5th was being stubborn again, i try again for 5th no response, I give it one good push and everything seems to fall to ****. Stuck on the side of the road, I try to put it in gear, but the shift assembly is limp. By that I mean not going into any gear, and when you move it around something knocks. Got it towed and shop says shift linkage is torn to pieces. Any advice?

 

Yeah... replace the linkage.

 

Why the heck did u gave it the "one good push" ?!
Damn..

 

Better that it happened when it did than when he was in the middle of an emergency maneuver. If something's going to break, rendering my car undriveable, I hope it happens when I can safely stop.

 

In what case of emergency does one need to go into 5th gear ?

 

It doesn't matter that it was fifth gear - if it broke from force, it would've broken in any gear.

Chances are, he tore the rubber base that holds the shifter in place. I've done it.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/34560n-...tml?cPath=882&

He may have also broken the pin that connects the shifter to the trans linkage... I know people who have done that.

 

It seems i wasn't clear enough. I meant that why does he wanted to put the
Z in 5th gear knowing that the linkage is acting up. he could've stayed on the gear he was, and managed to reach home or a mechanic or whatever.
Anyway as u said as long as nothing happened to him everything can be fixed.