95 Legacy shifter suddenly very sloppy

Sloppy linkage. If the shifter goes directly in the transmission, It could be the Shifter stabilizer, as I call it. Basically two pieces of plastic held in place with washers and spring/wavy washers around the ball on the shifter.. After that it is internal.

Suspect a shift cable problem. There should be two cables from the shifter to the transmission. Have a look at the shift linkage while someone moves the shifter to see if cables operate

Start with the firs post and have those cables and linkage assembly looked at if those are good then what you have is a loose bolt on the transmission that bolt is responsible to keep the gear in place when loose the transmission will do what you described as well nothing more nothing less.

The plastic part on the cable broke or came of where it slides on transmission. It is right under the hood where your transmission shifter is

sounds like the bushing has come apart at the shifter

I take it that you have a standard transmission ? there is no adjustment, but on the saturns the plastic insert on the shifter lever (remove the center console) is what breaks, Napa auto parts has the replacement part for about $20, or you can go to saturn and spend $200 on replacing both cables

sounds like the shift linkage has fell off
look under the hood of your car and have someone move the shifter
look for the movement and see is it is hooked up
give me feed back if this helps

The shifter linkage has a two piece plastic / nylon bushing at either end of the gear shift tube that goes from the gear shift lever to the transmission. As the bushes wear through normal usage the gear shift becomes sloppy. The bushes at the gear shift lever end usually wear out first.
You may have to drop the exhaust pipe to access the underside of the gear lever as there is not a lot of space to work in above the exhaust.
To replace, remove the securing nut and through bolt where the underside of the gear lever U section attaches to the tube. Pull down the tube and the worn bits of the bush will come out. Place the new bushes in either side of the tube and put tube end back between the U section. Replace the through bolt and nut. If still a little sloppy, you may have to do the transmission end bushes as well.

Possibly need to replace the bushes on your gear lever linkages and adjust gear lever afterwards.tough job if you have never done it before.Might need to get help

it sounds like the shifter linkage has broken. Its not tough to fix your self if you are mechanicaly inclined. Some times you get lucky and its just a pin. Remove the console around the shifter and inspect everything if not in the shifter then get under there and inspect.

tepfy