So I bought in my car to a shop and they said I needed to replace a steering belt (I think that's what he said). Anyways, it's about 70 bucks to replace, but anyone have similar problems?

Basically, sometimes when shifting into 1st and 3rd, the gear pops back into neutral and it feels soft when pushing into those respective gears

 

You've got a timing belt and a serpentine belt, but no "steering belt." If you'd have asked me I would have said your clutch was going bad or something, don't see how a belt can cause a problem like that, but I don't know much about my car's engine, I'm just talking out of my *** right now...

 

How many miles or kilometers are on your car, and what year? You may very well need a serpentine belt since they do deteriorate over time. However that should have nothing to do with your 1st and 3rd gear issues. Try another mechanic IMO.

I have a small problem with those gears as well but I have yet to take it to the dealership.

 

maybe have the dealer check your shift cables. i stretched mine on my 9mr and i had to replace the cables and now everything works great. i had a problem with my lower gears 2nd 4th and 6th and sometimes reverse. do they feel spongy like going into gear?

 

I've got about 81,000 km and it's an 2003. Ya, the gears do feel sort of soft (kinda spongy I guess) when pushing in.

I think I'll get the belts changed and check the shift cables too

I havent had a problem with the car yet until now, so Mitsubishi seems to be quite reliable ^^