I am relatively new to owning my 98 accord ex, have had it about 3 mos.
I just can't get used to the clutch, I had been driving an 88 civic 5 spd.
prior to this and never had such trouble, it seems like when starting off its hard to get the clutch to catch smoothly, constantly bucking making me feel like an ass, only when starting off, once i'm rolling its fine.
I am no where near knowledgeable when it comes to cars so I am trying to decide if I AM an ass, or if the car has "issues".
is there anyway for me to determine if this is a sign of clutch trouble?
also is it normal to be able to move the shifter into gears without pressing the clutch pedal?? and I doubt that any fluid change has taken place on this car, should I have it done?? 100k miles are on it.
I appreciate you time, Monica

a) try taking hte rpms a bit higher and riding the clutch out a bit more when going from a stop to prevent the 'bucking'
b) no you shouldn't be able to shift into gears without the clutch
c) yes, the gear oil should be changed by 100k. This will help give you smoother shifts if you use a premium oil. I am not familiar with the recommended gear oils for the 98, but redline and synchromesh have both worked wonders for me in my mitsu.
d) as far as the clutch being worn, how much play does it have, and how much do you have to raise it before it catches the gear and you start going.

actually u can change gears without using a clutch. whether it is downshifting or upshifting u just gotta guess the RPMs to what u think it would be in that gear at that speed. for ex... if u normally drive in 3rd gear going 30 mph at 2500 rpms... when the car is in neutral going 30 mph rev it to 2500 RPMs and slowly move the shifter into third without using the clutch and it will slip right in. its pretty cool... my boss taught me that at my gas station.

as for the rough time getting out of first... u should just ride the clutch a lil more at the sweet spot instead of like popping it. its like when u first learn to drive standard.... take ur time.

Yes sensei, your method does work if you get the rpms matched exactly right and everything is spinning at the exact same speed, then you do not need to use the clutch, although if you do it incorrectly, GOODBYE synchros. I assumed she meant at any rpms, hence the reason I answered no.