car won't start!! starter and battery are good

[wvicary]

It does sound like the ignition switch. It's not very wise to be banging on the starter.... most starters in today vehicles are of the permanent magnet type, hitting them can damage the magnet and ruin the unit.

Ignition switches have a very high failure rate, replace it and let us know if it fixed the problem.

[CJ_Boxster]

ignition switch issue are not limited to:
-can't get the key out of the ignition
-lights are still on when key is out of the ignition
-weird noises of plastic breaking when inserting the key

but can also cause
-unable to turn starter
-dash lights sometimes not working
-A/C stop working
-radio stop working

[FrayAdjacent]

Ignition switch failures are very unpredictable, and can result in VERY wacky behavior. It's a cheap part, so you might as well check it.

You might also look to the clutch switch. If it is faulty, and can't sense that the clutch is depressed, that could also disable the starter.