After a visit to the tire dealer my GST/Turbo/Manual with 216K miles will not shift into first gear. It will go in but when the clutch is released it grinds and pops out. I told the dealer their mechanic can't drive a stick and they told me it was going to happen anyway.

So it appears I have three options:

1) Have the existing transmission repaired
2) Install a used transmission
3) Install a rebuilt transmission

Does anyone have any opinions on this?

 

start with making sure the linkage is correctly adjusted and that the clutch is working as it should.

if you do need to fix the box, fix the box.

 

check your transmission/motor mounts