# 1998 Honda Civic - 150,000 miles - needs clutch **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** clutches\ **Created:** [March 12, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718 "2008-03-12T17:19:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cjcrysta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@cjcrysta](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cjcrysta)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718/1 "2008-03-12T17:19:28Z")
I have a 1998 Honda Civic with 150,000 miles that I think needs a new clutch. Sometimes when I try to accelerate from 1st it makes a kind of high pitched noise until it’s able to get into first and start moving. I live near San Francisco, CA. I commute 20 miles (one way) to and from work every day. I went to Midas and they told me to replace the clutch would be around $1200. The Kelly Blue Book value of this car is $4,100 (but considering that the clutch is going, I’m guessing I wouldn’t be able to get that much for it). 1) How long do you think my clutch will last in its current condition? 2) Do you think that $1200 is a reasonable price for a clutch replacement? What do you think the lowest price is that I could get for a clutch replacement? 3) If you were me (with very little disposable income), would you replace the car, or try to fix it? ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718/2 "2008-03-12T17:26:25Z")
If you cannot afford the $1200 or less for the clutch what can afford for another car? If not more than $6000 your buying a potential disaster with problems that could far exceed the $1200. Its seems excessively high given in NH I replaced mine for around $600 at a relatively inexpensive Honda dealer($60/hr labor at time) on a 95 Civic using factory parts. I understand labor is higher in Bay Area but not nearly double. Without a doubt I would fix it given your income situation. Call a few independent shops for clutch replacement. Ask friends, coworkers, family. If not look in phone book or internet for a Honda specialized shop beyond the regular ones in your area. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718/3 "2008-03-12T17:38:02Z")
Definitely replace the clutch assembly (clutch, pressure plate, release bearing). Don’t use Midas. Look for a reputable independent shop. The price there may be higher than here, which is about $600-$700, but you should be able to do much better than $1200. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718/4 "2008-03-12T23:54:08Z")
I agree with Andrew and Mountainbike; the price is way too high and avoid Midas. Labor rates in the SF area are some of the highest in the U.S. but they’re not that high. Figure a few hundred dollars on a clutch kit and roughly 5 hours or so of labor X the shop rate (100-125 an hour???) and you’re still way under 1200. For a reasonable clutch repair price my vote is for fixing it and fix it soon before it strands you and leads to a tow bill to boot. ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-honda-civic-150-000-miles-needs-clutch/11718/5 "2008-03-13T03:04:29Z")
1. Not long 2. Too high. Should be $600 to $800 3. I would keep it and fix it. Good luck