My 5 speed manual wont shift from 2nd to 1st and makes a grinding sound even at very low speeds

SOURCE: SL1 manual transmission

if it is just one gear then it is a faulty synchronizer of gear......if it is more than one then it is because your clutch is not fully releasing or the pilot bearing......either way have a mechanic that knows transmissions have a look at it

SOURCE: 2006 Vue has tremble with low speed transmission shifts

you should visit another dealer. that is not normal. the Saturn Vue is a very well made car and i could see these problems if it had 150,000 miles.

SOURCE: 1995 saturn 5 speed stick shift loses speed up hill with loud put

well i have the same problem still going on and i dont know either cause i changed my fuel filter and plugs the wires are pretty new so idk, my next guess is fuel pump which i am hoping it not to be...

SOURCE: 1998 Saturn SC1 manuel stick is hard to shift into 1st & 2nd gear

Try to double clutch the clutch pedal. How to double clutch; push the clutch in moving the stick to neutral, then release the clutch and then push it back in and shift into first or second gear. If it works then it is not the shift linkage and could be a clutch adjustment. First how far do you have to release the clutch pedal until the clutch plate starts to engage? If only an inch or so the clutch pedal needs to be adjusted, which is an easy fix (this is more common). The other possible problems could be the clutch plate, throwout bearing of syncros could be bad. If it is one of the previous problems double clutching should buy you some time.

SOURCE: i have a 1996 saturn

remove the console and take a look at the shifter bushings. these connect the bottom of the shifter to the cables. it is common for them to fail, they sell bushing repair kits on eBay and some parts stores.
if that is good however, then you have to look at the other end of the cable and make sure that movement of the shifter is causing the linkage to move on the transmission, if not then you are going to need a new cable set. these are much cheaper at parts stores than through a GM dealer.

take a search through saturn repair videos on youtube for particulars on the console removal and shifter cable replacement. there are lots of them there.