When I drive for the first time in the morning...err afternoon... my clutch is horrible. Its the equivalent to an old man getting out of bed. A start from a stop is horrible.
The shift from 1 to 2 isnt much better. It kinda stutters, thats the best word I can come up with. Eventually, it smooths out like normal.

This is the first car Ive owned with a 5spd so Im not real sure what a clutch feels like when its on the way out.

I dont really feel like paying for a new clutch right now. I still have to get my E.M. studs replace.

Blah Blah Blah.

 

Mine does that too... it seems the friction disk is either glazed or worn out. If it isn't slipping in any gear and you can live with it I don't think it will hurt anything but the flywheel, and only if it is worn out... the friction material is rivited onto the disk, if it is worn out the riviots are cutting into the flywheel, otherwise nothing bad is happening.

The 1-2 shift really shouldn't be affected, that may be a different problem related to old tranny fluid. If the 1-2 shift is affected by the clutch you may be shifting way too early.

Things to try.
1) replace the clutch fluid and bleed the system,
2) replace the tranny fluid...

if all else fails go ahead and do a full clutch job. Looking at the Haynes manual it doesn't seem as bad as some FWD cars I have owned. While you are doing the clutch have the flywheel machined and balanced (heck lighten it as well) or you may end up with other problems... and do ALL of the clutch, not just the disk. If you don't murphy's law will bite your **** and you will be back in there for a throw out bearing or pressure plate in a short amount of time. I also wouldn't waste money on a 'performance' clutch unless you will be doing a lot of racing. The stock piece seems to be pretty stout.

 

Okay. Thanks.

I dont think I shift too early, 1-2, but I was thinking a MT fluid change couldnt hurt.