bad noise

when ever i go to start the car on the first time only most of the time i get a grinding noise from what i believe could be the starter. any ideas?

Disconnect your battery then pull your starter and check the gear teeth. If that appears fine then check your flywheel teeth. Before you rotate the flywheel, pull the spark plugs, then rotate with socket on the cam pulley clockwise (this is a good time to change the timing belt if that is due also). I suppose you could drop the tranny and inspect the whole flywheel at once, but I'm lazy.

If your gear teeth on the starter OR flywheel are worn, then REPLACE BOTH flywheel and starter. Otherwise you are only asking for a repeat in the future.

Correct me if there is an easier test guys.