When I am in 1st gear and in the 1000-3000rpm range while driving the car makes a grindin noise. What could this be because its on and off? I have a 2002 cavalier, 2.4L manual. I know how to drive stick and i dont screw around with shifting.

does it sound kinda like a speed drill??

it sounds a bit quieter then if u were to grind ur gears or metal draggin on the ground or drilling into metal. its kinda hard to explain but i hope this helps. But nothing is dragging, or out of place.

i had a car once that had a clutch that had a similar problem, i would start out in first gear with no problem, then as soon as i went to put it in 2nd, or any other gear it made kinda a high pitch speed drill type noise, the car moved fine, the gears worked and everything, just one annoying ass noise, it did it all the time when the engine was cold but once in a while with the engine warmed up it would stop, it didnt matter if the clutch was pressed in or let out though, anyways the problem ended up being the transmission was out of grease...

This sound is grinding metal, it happens when the car is warm or cold, but its on and off. So, I have no idea what to do.

does it do it in 1st gear only???

ya, only in 1st gear, and rarely in 2nd