QuestionI have a 2002 Hyundai Accent. When I am stoppped uphill, I have a hard time getting first gear to go, and I seem to be losing power. What would I expect to pay to have the clutch repaired/replaced? IS there something else that might be wrong other than the clutch?
AnswerAt dealer prices, you should expect to pay $600 to $1200 to replace the clutch. You'll find prices will vary by the shop doing the work, the manufacturer and distributor of the parts, and your geographic location.
If the clutch is your problem, the transmission will typically shift normally, but when you release the clutch pedal, the engine revs normally or excessively while the vehicle only moves a little bit.
I cannot tell from your description whether you have an engine performance issue rather than a clutch issue, so the possibility remains that you may indeed have a problem with your engine performance.
You should take to car to the dealer or a competent facility you trust for diagnosis of the problem. When the facility calls you with the estimate for repair, have them be clear about what work will be done and what problems said work will resolve. Then, you can simply say you'll need to think it over/discuss with spouse/whatever excuse you think is reasonable and then call around other places for price quotes on the same work. Keep in mind that some places may have lower parts prices due to lower part quality.
