GTT Clutches (...and quite a ramble)

[BZG Wagon]

Okay, so my GTT is getting pretty close to 150kms, which means I'm trying to decide whether I flick & get something newer, or live with the fact I might have just a few expenses come up soon to keep it going. As I see it the decider probably going to be the clutch.

I understand the engine needs to be dropped out to change the clutch, which I presume means it's going to be a very expensive job (I'm guessing around $1k - $1.5k).

So what I'm wondering is:
1) When is the clutch likely to go? The car's driven reasonably sedately, on the open roads mostly, and spends very little time in traffic. Is it likely I'll be able to get it up around 180kms (i.e. another 1-2 years out of it)?
2) Has anyone replaced a clutch on their GTT (themselves or paid a mechanic)? How much did it cost? How hard was the job?
3) Is there anyway to guage how much life is left in the clutch? It's not slipping or anything and it engages about half way up the pedal. When I had a vehicle check (at 90kms) the mechanic dude said the clutch had plenty of life in it - and I was wondering how he knew that.

Overall the car is mint. 8 studded manifold (done a year ago), stock standard other than mags & some lower springs put in, in Japan. It took me 6 months to find it and it was by far the tidiest GTT I looked at (grade 4.5 import). It's been a superb car for the last 3 years but if I have to spend a few thousand dollars on a clutch, shocks etc, etc then I'm not sure it's worth keeping - and it's starting to look quite dated IMO. Plus anything with a turbo on it is virtually worthless once it gets past 150kms.

[Bling]

If you like the car and it does everything you need just keep it and fix things as they come up.

Selling it and buying a newer car isn't going to save you any money. If yours is in good nick now, you'd be mad to sell it just because the KM's are getting up there and the clutch might need doing soon.

If you want a new car, then that's cool too, but its not going to be the most economical way of getting around. New cars are good though I guess. Personally I plan on servicing my daily for a few years to come. Till I have the coin to get something actually worth upgrading to.

Just my 10c

[sergei]

If you don't drive it like most of women or backward cap wearing idiots, then the clutch should last you a lot longer than 150k. 250k+ at least, especially such large unit as in 3SGTE (assuming ST205 has same clutch as ST215).

Normally motor goes down, it is a days of work with hoist. Clutch itself is expensive (~800) so add the 10-16hours of billable work if not DIY.

Don't worry about the clutch until it starts slipping at high boost/max torque.

I clocked over 170kms on my ST205, most of those are a lot of hard driving, and little bit of track time, clutch is still fine. Although I made it smell once when I got stuck in the sand...

[tsoob]

do some launches an finish it off..

[Dell'Orto]

do some helis an finish it off..

[BZG Wagon]

Quite reassuring not to hear any GTT clutch stories in this thread so far.

My mates ST205 GT4 clutch gave way at 185xxx kms, but he was running 17psi - 20psi (turning the boost down temporarilly solved the problem).

I guess where I'm coming from is the car's worth around $8.5k at the mo. In a years time with another 20k on the clock it'll be worth what - $6.5k? If I had to spend $1.5k on a clutch then I guess I'd rather buy a new car for $15k on the basis that it's probably not going to lose $3.5k in a year, and I get a new car.... if that makes sense to you all.

[Sick Puppy]

This

Overall the car is mint. 8 studded manifold (done a year ago), stock standard other than mags & some lower springs put in, in Japan.

and this

It took me 6 months to find it and it was by far the tidiest GTT I looked at (grade 4.5 import). It's been a superb car for the last 3 years

I purchased a new car for family reasons, and didn't really want to. We looked, found one, and got trouble from the start. It's in good nick, you liked it enough to spend months looking for it, I'd say keep it.

or you could give it to me

[sergei]

Cars will always be a loss.
If car is good why not just keep it? You could buy something in in $8k-10k range, but chances are you will have to spend a big portion of the price to bring it up to standard (unless you are planning to keep it only 1 year).

There are two ways of having cars:

1) Buy a new car every year - avoid expensive maintenance. Just drive and sell it on. Probably makes sense financially, but very asshole thing to do. There is a huge chance of buying a car that somebody sold it after a year of just driving and opening a can of worms with all sort of issues due to neglect.
2) Buy a new car every 5-7 years - avoid buying neglected cars from assholes above, even if you buy a car like that, you bring it up to standard and enjoy a reliable and very familiar vehicle, no surprises there.

To be honest I would rather maintain my cars for years, as once they are looked after they are very reliable.

[Bling]

Option 3: Buy a car and keep it till it dies. My goal is 10 years

[sergei]

Option 3: Buy a car and keep it till it dies. My goal is 10 years

I have a car that I had for 10 years. Correction I have given it to my sister, she now uses it to reverse into strangers. Car still goes fine.

[Dell'Orto]

I've had my wagon for 8 years, now with my sister. Has been in the family since 1993 as well. Just ticked over 300,000k's the other month too, and doesnt use a drop of oil