I'm also learning on a 98 CXi, the clutch seems really soft, because I went for a drive in my mates 2001 lancer, and the clutch seems so reponsive, like I know where the catchpoint is when I start toa dd gas for first gear, in the 1998 CXi, seems so soft, hard to find the grab point. But its getting there, just got to get the feeling of the car. Mine only has 55,000 kms on the dash so I doubt the clutch could be worn out. My shifts tend to jerk abit, thats cause I think I'm letting out the clutch a little too early.

But over time you'll get used to the car.

 

Hey Sacs and Raul98, sorry bros. I gave bad advice and I want to apologize. One thing I am not, is a know it all, and I made a mistake. The advice I gave was based on my experience with a chevy s10 hydraulic clutch. on that particular vehicle you only pushed it in a little ways to shift. now that I have a civic with a hydraulic clutch it is very different. the travel is much shorter in the pedal, and I find I have to push the pedal all the way in on most gears to keep from grinding. so here is my formal apology and admission of ignorance.

 

apology accepted.