I just bought a 1997 Cutlass. Has only 49,000 miles. It's gear shift is on the console. When I first crank it up and try to shift out of park, I cannot get it to move. I depress the brake as the book calls for and try to push in the button on the left of the gear knob, but it just sticks. I even try to move the steering wheel from side to side with the engine turned on, but to no avail. I try and wiggle the gear shift while trying to push in the button, and only after about 3-4 minutes, it finally engages. Can anyone give me any insight on what to do so I can get on with driving? Is there a way to get into the knob where the button is attached to see if something is wrong? Can you spray some WD-40 into the side of the button to loosen things up? Thanks!

Worn gear selector perhaps, or you need a new clutch (or should I say clutch-plate?)
There's some stuff you can put in the gearbox called something like "slick50" that makes it smoother.

Even though the link below pertains to Hondas, it should give you better insight into the problem with your Cutlass:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-honda-civics-46563-3.html#post258005

You likely need to focus on the automatic transmission gear position switch.