Hyundai Repair: hyundai 2000 new clutch, clutch replacement, logical issues

Question
When I first purchased the car in May 2000 I was able to downshift from 2nd to 1st and continued to be able for 10 yrs until clutch replaced.  Why was the original clutch able to be downshifted this way and this one not and 2) is there something i can do to be able to downshift from 2 to 1 again.   3) does my transmission need repair than since it no longer goes from 2nd to first while driving?  4) why did the transmission have this problem now and not before the new clutch was installed?  Thank you

Answer
Since you were able to do this before and can no longer do it, I'd agree there's definitely a problem.  

1.  Why this has occurred is difficult to answer without physically inspecting the car.  It's possible the mechanic opened the hydraulic system during the repair and didn't fully bleed the system, causing difficult shifting, but this should affect all shifts, not just one of them.  

2.  As the driver of the vehicle, there will be no changes you can make that will affect this.  The problem with the clutch (or transmission) will need to be repaired for you to regain this ability.

3.  It's my best guess that the problem is related to the transmission, but I still recommend another dealer's opinion on this matter.  My opinion based on what you've written, logical issues that could cause your problem, and the frequency with which they occur is no comparison to a qualified mechanic actually checking the car in person to determine the issue.

4.  Other than perhaps accidentally dropping the transmission (which would tend to crack/break the case and cause a large gear oil leak), I can think of nothing that could happen during clutch replacement that would affect the internal workings of the transmission.  If my presumption that the problem is in the transmission is correct, then the greatest likelihood is that the timing is just coincidence.  I did see one case many years ago where a shop dropped a customer's transmission during clutch replacement and replaced the transmission with a used one without the customer's knowledge.  If something like this has occurred, another dealer may well be able to identify the transmission as one that has come from a junk yard.