Just purchased a 2008 Mazda 3 (manual transmission) with about 120,000 miles on it. The problem I'm having has to do with 1st and 2nd gears. Sometimes it sticks in 2nd gear and won't let me shift into 3rd. I have to pull to the side of the road and wrangle the stick until it lets me out. Sometimes, when I pull up to a stop sign, it won't let me get back into 1st from Neutral. Overall, the shifting into 1st and 2nd is a little rough (or seems that way). I checked the brake/clutch fluid, and it's topped off. And the clutch feels OK. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

Not sure on a 2008, but on the 2009 to 2012 BL Mazda 3 you can adjust the shift cables to fix your complaint.