I put a B&M shifter in my Boxster and never regretted or considered going back to stock afterwards. Yes, it took a little more 'effort' (marginal) to shift but it eliminated the sloppy shifting thru butter melted for corn feel of the OEM.
My 997 has the std throw shifter and although I've contemplated going w/ the Porsche SSK (B&Ms and the like get very tight and "notchy" in 997s IMHO) I'll probably just keep sticking w/ stock.
That being said, a lot of people w/ 9x7s upgrade to the OEM SSK. As such, you can probably find a used 9x7 shifter out there in the housing for $150. This would probably give the best of what you are looking for.
Good luck