has the car had any major work done recently
i did a tranny (well a clutch )once in mine and i tightened the linkage too tight when i reassembled.. it shifted hard and i missed 3rd alot racing the car... i took and just loostened the nuts that pinch the the linkage to the tranny and to the shifter ( non stationary bar )
and it freed the shifter out of its bind.. shifted much smoother, and no missed shifts..
scenario 2 ...i also have had a clutch cable that was too tight cuase it to shift hard...
the pedal was engaging too soon and i wasnt getting it all the way in gear when speed shifting.. resulting with some nasty grinding popping out of gear... and me wondering why i couldnt drive worth crap....i loostened the adjuster nut on the cable, on the tranny.. and it solved the problem making the clutch close at a greater pedal height.. allowing me enough time to get it in gear....