2002 Civic EX Coupe 5-speed

Just got the car, and sometimes it's 'creaky' going into 4th. Other times it's 'creaky' and finnicky going into most of the other gears too. My gut tells me my tranny is okay and the Shifter itself is getting old (180,000)...

How does this work, cable ? Rods ? Is a short-throw shifter a cost-effective option for repairing this ?

 

The shifter is a piece of metal. Unless the bearings go bad, you shouldn't have a problem. When was the last time you changed your transmission fluid?

 

I just bought the car used. Seller told me he replaced the 5th gear and 5th gear synchro. It's creaking at the shifter itself I'm pretty sure, maybe it just needs WD-40 or something. It's only mildly creaky, but sometimes more sometimes less (humidity ?)....

thanks!