Wondering what I could be in for before working on my transmission
 

My 1997 SL1's manual transmission has been giving me some grief for quite some time now. At the time, I made a living delivering pizza. I was just leaving for a delivery and I backed up from the curb, put it in first, started moving, and CLUNK, dead. No first gear at all. Every other gear was unaffected though. By the end of the night, I could force the car into first gear by either shifting at the right moment when pulling to a stop or just repeatedly trying until it went in. However, at the same time, I then became unable to downshift into second. Accelerating is no problem, but if I went around a corner, my only options were first or third.

As the car was still drivable and money was limited, I simply dealt with it, but over time things changed. It's progressed to the point where I can shift into first gear without trouble at a dead stop, but I can't downshift into second OR first. Now it's something like 15,000 miles later, and I still love the car. My options are fix up the car, fix it and sell it, or sell it as is and get a newer car. I wouldn't mind an SC from 98-02, or an Ion coupe, but if my dad and I can repair the transmission, I may hold out on a new car. Our thought has been the synchro gears, but we wonder if it's worth trying to fix.

Sure it's not the shifter cables? Common problem.

Actually no. We haven't really checked them. Probably not a bad idea. I believe the previous owner may have replaced one, but I'm not certain. Assuming they're alright though, any ideas what could be going on inside?

The shifter cables stretch and the end bushings fall apart, not to mention the cables start to fray and come apart. Possible temp fix if your selling is to replace the end bushings.

Cables...........you don't replace one. They are a set, and if you buy the aftermarket DOORMAN brand expect them to either not work at all or go the hell in a short time.
Step up and get em from the dealer.

I guess we'll check them out when we head out to the garage in a bit. Honestly, if he'd replaced the cables, most likely they would have been from a salvage yard.