[SeanR]

The firmness of your shifting is most likely due to inadaquate vaccum to the transmission.

There is a vac line that is at the rear of the engine, in the center, that comes up the bell housing. It will connect to a 4-7 way vac splitter. Ensure that this line is attached, then you will need to go through a vac testing procedure to see if/where you have leaks. When I get on my other computer, I'll post a link that shows how and where to do this.

If you have vac, then it gets a bit more difficult, but vac is typically the issue.

On the hatch, open it up and take a look at the white piece on the hatch its self. These can and do, wear out. It should be pointed, not rounded. You might be able to adjust the 2 bolts/screws on the lower receiver in order to get it to latch. Pretty easy to do.