At 98k miles my 2002 Mazda Protege ES 5spd is reluctant to go in first when cold and reluctant to go in second on down shifts. Double cluthing helps as does letting letting the clutch out in neutral and trying a second time (similar to double clutching but sometime it turns into trip clutching).

First question, will letting the clutch die completely hurt the synchros or anything else (besides getting stuck and needing a tow)?

Second question, what may be causing the reluctance on shifting (synchro, clutch or other)?

Third question, what clutch should I replace with (Exedy made for Mazda from dealer, other clutch (centerforce said they don't have an application for my car).

This is the original clutch, believe it's a Exedy made for Mazda.

Thanks,

Matthew