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If you always start in second gear you will wear the clutch out faster. You also run the risk of glazing the clutch and causing chatter.
First gear is not a useless gear at all. Put 800lbs of load in the car and it becomes a necessity. Starting uphill, pulling out into traffic etc first gear is needed. Part of the reason that a saturn can start in second gear is low end torque and lightweight 2350lbs. 114lbs peak at 2400rpms for 1.9l car thats very low rpm.
Also it may not be a tranny issue at all. Its very possible that the clutch master cylinder or transmission slave cylinder is failing and causing the clutch to not be fully disengaged. From what I've read you replace both together anyway. It could also be a lousy shift cable.
IMO, the stock shifter cable of a Saturn S car is awful. They're notchy, spongy, indirect feeling, and somewhat delicate. Bang a shift too hard will move the cables slightly and make it stiff to shift. Otherwise there fine cars.
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