I have a 2003 OZ Rally, 5 speed manual, with 150,000 miles. My clutch seems like it is lagging. When I'm accelerating and I let out on the clutch after shifting, it takes a while to actually get into the gear. The pedal lets out quick and all the way, but the engine over revs and takes about 3 seconds to rev down and the car to actually start accelerating. I only notice it at higher speeds, like taking off on on-ramps in 3, 4 and 5 gear. It hadn't done it bad all winter until today when it actually got above freezing. It seems to be worse after driving for 15 minutes or so. Is my clutch bad, or what is possibly wrong?

Another issue (probably unrelated) is when I'm in drive-thrus and have it in neutral and the clutch not pushed in something rattles underneath the outside of the car. If I put the clutch in it stops, and if I hold the stick against a gear it also stops. This also seems worse the warmer the car gets, but the main thing I'm worried about is the first part, if my clutch is bad.

Thanks for the help!

 

It does sound like your clutch is on its way out. Everything you described points to it. 150,000 miles - it's had a good run.