Hard to get it in the right gear unless you pull up on the shifter its a 5 speed manual

The ball on the Shifter that mounts on the TOP of the transmission is worn and needs to be replaced in order to get the Complete throw (Movement) of the shifter. It is an easy repair, 8 screws to take the cover off, 4 bolts on the cover and then pull up the shifter and replace the ball

I take it that you have a standard transmission ? there is no adjustment, but on the saturns the plastic insert on the shifter lever (remove the center console) is what breaks, Napa auto parts has the replacement part for about $20, or you can go to saturn and spend $200 on replacing both cables

these buttons are for you to change gears manually. should be able to slide shifter over into a slot and shift gears up/down by moving shift arm.

Hi:
The shift pattern is pretty much the same on all 5 speed cars. The top row is the odd numbers, 1-3-5
the bottom row is 2-4-Reverse. The center position is neutral

Here is the key: The shifter is slightly spring-loaded to the center position. If you hold in the clutch pedal and pull the shifter to neutral, and let go of it, it will automatically be lined up in the position, that if you pushed it forward , it would go to 3rd gear, and if you pulled it back, it would go into 4th gear.
This way, to start driving, you start out in neutral, grab the shifter lightly, and push it first to the left, then forward. This is first gear, where you start out. when you want to shift to second, push in the clutch, and keeping left pressure on the shifter, pull all the way back . Here is the easy part, 2nd to 3rd. When you are ready, push in the clutch, and just push the gear shift forward , till it hits neutral, and is spring loaded to the middle. Then you just push it straight forward to 3rd, then next shift, straight back to 4th.
Last gear, 5th: push forward to the neutral row, then Push to the right till it lines up ,and forward to the 5th gear. Reverse should only be shifted into from a dead stop. Find neutral, push the shifter all the way right, then pull back towards you. Hope this helps.
Practice a bunch in the driveway!

The transmition is not the problem. The cables that run from the shifter to the transmition are the culpret. I recently rescued my wife from the road when the linkage broke on our VUE. I purchased new connectors and cables from the dealership and replaced them. For those that have the proper knowledge and skill set, you can replace them yourself. Others are better off having it done at a shop. The following is my personal experience and is not meant to be a guide, repair manual or procedure for those who lack formal automotive repair training! The new shifter cables come as a set. The cable with the white housing does not seem to be a problem. The cable with the black housing controls the push forward-pull back and the cable with the white housing controls the side to side movement. I found that the new cable with the black housing had the same sort of stiffness when I pushed and pulled the cable by hand. Then I noticed that the cable end was bent, causing it to bind in the housing. I straightened the end by bending it with my hands untill I felt the least amount of binding or resistance when pushing and pulling it. When I installed it the difference was amazing! I kept the old cable set for emergencies. The only tools you need to replace the cables and couplings are a 7mm socket on a screwdriver handle, a phillips head screwdriver and a pair of needle nose plyers. Remove the center console, (4, 7mm screws) and electrical connections. Then remove the plastic panels around the shifter, (7, phillips head screws and 2 plastic push pins) associated snap together panel fasteners and electrical connections. Pop each cable end off it's shifter joint/ball and push the collar back on each cable housing anchor. Pull the carpet back and push the rubber grommet through the firewall in the passenger footwell. Then pop the cable ends off at the transmition. Pull the old cable set out and reverse the procedure to install the new cables. There is an adjustment of the cable length. This should be done before replacing the plastic panels and center console. The new cable ends that attach to the shifter can be positioned/adjusted. Looking at the old cable pair you will see where the old clips were positioned and can start with that. Then run the shifter through all the gears to make sure they all engage. If you run out of travel on the shifter handle re-position the clips on the cable ends, as needed, to get full gear engagement without running out of travel.

Bellhousing, driveshaft, crossmember yes. BUT, are we talking overdrive auto or 5 speed manual? P.S. unless you've pulled a tranny before, take it to an expert.

pending on the type of clutch in the vehicle, you may be low on clutch fluid. (if your clutch is hydraulic)
other than that it is most likely the entire clutch itself.

indicates syncro ring or gear problem in the transmission

Shop one of your pick and pull yards for a tranny. You will diffenatly have to pull it out to fix the gear,unless it is just in the shifter which won't press the shifter fork in the transmission far enough press the 5th gear into mesh(or into gear).
Sounds more like it might be in the gear shifter. Linkage worn or stretched, or a bushing out of the linkage. Take the plastic console off and look at the action of the shifter if it has alot of freeplay when trying to put it into 5th gear I would say, Get a junk yard shifter.
If you go into transmission It has to be pulled out of car to dissassemble it and it really is a job for a transmission specialist. Get a Junk yard tranny and just replace it. They usually give a gaurantee of some sort with the tranny.

If you can see where the shifter goes through the floorboard, make sure the shifter is not hitting the floor.
There could be interfierence under the car also.