Quote Originally Posted by Pimp_Daddy_Patty View Post
If its not the cable adjustment. A dragging clutch will cause this as well. As long as the transmission goes into 1st gear with the engine off, its more likely that it's a clutch/adjustment issue.
I never read where his car wouldn't go into 1st gear? I've been driving manuals for 45 years, & I have never downshifted into 1st gear. I only use 1st gear if I have come to stop. The same can be said for reverse.

I don't think there is anything wrong with his manual transmission, nor do I think warming up the car makes any difference. My Mirage doesn't shift differently when cold, & I have done some -20F shifting. It's probably the best cold weather manual, I have driven. I can sense a slight difference with my Subaru Forester manual during the extreme cold.

My Dad's old Farmall H tractor (mighty thick transmission oil that may be 70+ years old) may require two hands to shift when it's that cold. By comparison, shifting the Mirage in the cold is nothing. I really don't notice any difference.