Does anyone know if i need to remove the console to replace my carpet or can i just cut it out.

if i remember correctly i think you got to take the console out. i have a 5spd so it may be different/

Remove the console. Might as well do the job right if you are going through the trouble of removing the carpet.
Its not that big of a deal.
To save yourself some trouble. Once you have your plasic top cover off, pull the pin and disconnect the E-Brake Cable from the E-Brake Lever.
It will make the process of pulling the E-Brake to the completely verticle position easier.

Great thing about removing the console, you get to clean under it.

yeah i'd just go ahead and remove the console. takes all of 30 minutes. then its like a treasure hunt, you get to find all kinds of things from all the previous owners. french fries, loose change, cd's.

plus when you have that carpet out you can check for rust.

It's like 3-4 bolts, should take about 5 minutes.

hmmm...accounting for the shifter plate, upper console, radio trim, radio, and HVAC, it took me about 30 minutes to completely remove the entire console assembly, including its components.

I guess I'm just slow. Your results may vary. haha

no it took me and a buddy about a half hr to do dont want to break anything even thou my console was already broke in about 14 place so i went out and got a new one, anyways when i got the carpet out there was like 4.00 in change and two keys lol the one looked like an origanal to the door didnt try it out thou