Bought used recently. Previous owner had a brand new battery in it. Does not always start on a cold start. Some combination of waiting, turning the key and praying eventually starts it. On a warm start, it starts instantly every time.

It is a 5 speed and I have to depress the clutch to start it. When it doesn't start, it seems exactly as if the clutch is not depressed (though it is). The e-brake cable is broken BTW.

Is it likely something to do with the clutch cancel function? Is there a way to bypass that so I can troubleshoot further?

Whatr search terms would help me to look up similar issues in past threads?