I figured some of you old timey resourceful types would enjoy this scenario.....

Last night at about 2AM the Volvo (84 242) stopped moving foward. It gave some warig as for the last da or so the idle would surge after shifting and it would race the engie if I didnt let off the gas pedal ad ease it ito gear. Well, while attepting to turn into a gas station the shifter was stuck in neutral and wouldt allow me to downshift. I got the car parked. I could shift if I turned the car off but it would lurch if I tried to start (almost as if I was trying to start it in gear)
I have no idea if my clutch has ever been changed (the car has 175K on it)Keep in mind that this is the car that I learned how to drive a stick on so I haven't exactly been ice to it but, it didn't seem like a problem untill a day or two ago. I have some of the records and there is nothing suggesting it isn't the original. Is this possible? I didn't think a clutch could go that far.
If it isn't the clutch I'm assuming it to be the tranny which in my limited mechanical knowledge just means $$$$$$

Is it worth fixing? The car is a bucket out and out but, I like it. It has damage from three minor accidents (smashed rear quater panel, blue fender passenger on beige car, smashed in drivers door.... all not my fault btw) Nothing pretty to look at, runs a little rough, has a 10psi drop in pressure on the #2 cylinder. Suspension is crap (simply put) But again, I like it.

I have new tires, rotors, calipers, exhaust, motor mmounts.

Other option.... I found an 82 wagon with a front engine seal leak. $300. also 300 miles away I need a car ASAP so I would not have time to do repairs on either car myself and I have almost exactly $600 of cash to spend on the solution. What do you do.... DO NOT SHOOT THE HOSTAGE!!!



(sorry couldn't help)