weird rattle around gear shift

It started this morning. It has a strange rattle when you shift gears or just wiggle the gear shift and when you close the driver side doors it rattles a little. It sounds almost like the exhaust is rattling but when you are in the car it is all around the shifter. It changes gears just fine. Had a new clutch back in 07. I was thinking maybe the shift linkage is just loose and needs tightening? 97 manual, 191,000

Next to impossible to diagnose "weird sounds" over the internet. Definitely need more information.

3 different issues in 3 days now... might be time for a new vehicle.

can't afford a car payment or I would get a new vehicle

ok well it seems the shift lever is slipping down and rubbing on a hear shield that was under it. The book doesn't really cover to well that area. Not sure what to do to fix it. I'm going to call the dealership today and tell them what is happening and see what they say it needs to fix it. Not sure if I need a new extension bar (the part the shift sets on) or what. I have looked all the parts up with a shifter and all online and can't find anything that really has to do with that area unless I'm just looking for the wrong thing?

How far down is it rubbing? I've seen loose engine mounts cause the exhaust to move around and grind up against the shifter.

How far down is it rubbing? I've seen loose engine mounts cause the exhaust to move around and grind up against the shifter.

The shifter dropped down. Dealer wanted $300 for shifter assembly. More than I wanted to spend or needed to replace. Put a bolt through floor pan and support bar after finding same problem on a different escort forum. Fixed it right up. Just has a slight rattle for a bit when accelerating but not like it was and shifter is in place. Took 20 minutes to fix and about $1 or whatever bolts and nuts cost that I had laying around.

Here is link to thread I found for fix: http://www.feoa.net/threads/how-to-replace-shifter-linkage-bushings-fix-dropped-shifter.69824/