I just recently bought a 2004 Subaru Outback and have had some
problems shifting the car into first and reverse.  This only occurs
from a stand-still, and it happens about 10% of the time.

I took the car in and they told me that I wasn't pressing down hard
enough on the clutch.  I explained that when I can't get the car into
first or reverse, I actually have to let up off the clutch slightly
before I can get the car into gear.  After keeping the car all day,
they found that the first gear synchro was worn and the shift shaft
seal was leaking (which they replaced).

I am still having some problems getting into first sometimes,
although
not as often as before.  But reverse continues to be a headache.

The service crew is now telling me that this is because my car is an
All Wheel Drive vehicle and the gear teeth are bigger so sometimes
they don't come together easily.  They told me that I have to double
clutch or shift into third before I shift the car into first or
reverse to align the gears.

Well, when trying to back out of my parking spot this morning, I
tried
everything that they said.  I double clutched, and I also shifted the
car into third 2 times before reverse finally engaged.

I have owned 4 other standards and have never had a single occurance
in which I couldn't get the car into first or reverse on the first
try...

I'm just wondering if this is common, or if I'm just being fed excuse
after excuse because I'm a girl...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!