loose shifter

a friend of mine has a 92 sc. its sat for a lil over a year the batery is out of it and air filter box os removed. in any case, i have not yet started car at all but the shifter moves in and out of gear with car off and no foot on clutch. im not too familier with a manual but im pretty sure that its not suppose to do that. is it possible that its loose from sittin around and once i turn it on that the it will tight back up? could it be a major problem causing it to be loose or could it being loose cause a major problem to occur. finaly is it possible that this is a normal thing? i plan on purchasing this car from said friend. most of the parts have been replaced and are brand new, right now i just have to worry a bout very little body work. thanx

Been sittin for a year, but why? what made your friend stop drivin it?
I hope the hood has been closed for that year with the air filter box off, even then you still have to worry about what might have found a home in the intake pipe (birds or spiders), take it off and check up to the throttle body for debris BEFORE attempting to start the car, dont even press the gas, you'll open the throttle body and allow stuff into your intake runners.
Yes, it seems normal for the shifter to slip in and out of gear even without the clutch depressed, Just went and checked on my car '96 SL1
but did notice it was more firmly in gear with the clutch depressed. It didn't want to slip into reverse... but that depends on the transmissions internal position, how the gears line up.
Make sure you can get it started and hopefully drive it around the block before you buy it, unless you want to find more problems later, or if this will effect the buying price.
If you do buy it I'm SURE we'll see more posts from you.
Have fun, drive before you buy!