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So I'm going to throw in with what may be the majority opinion here... sounds like your hydraulics are shot.
FYI, if you get air in the lines, you'll get very spongey feel and it may be difficult/impossible to get into gear.
My number #1 suggestion is to check behind the clutch pedal and see if you're getting fluid leaking, it usually happens 1 of two places: either behind the pedal which dumps break fluid into the cab of your car, or at the slave cylinder. What some of the people said (defective seal in the master piston) can also happen. Either way, all of these things can happen as you describe. Usually when your clutch hydraulics go out, you can start the car in first gear, and then rev-match it all the way home, however you can pretty much forget about stopping anywhere in any meaningful way without repeating the same start in first-gear exercise. In a newer car, there may be a clutch-brake lockout that keeps you from starting the car.
Pretty much at this point, check the fluid level, if it has fluid, bleed the slave cylinder and add fluid as necessary. If problems persist first replace the master cylinder, or if the slave is obviously leaking replace that first.
I've always had really bad luck with the "master cylinder rebuilding kit" and it usually started leaking again within a few months. When I just bought a replacement, it lasted until I sold the car.
FYI, if you get air in the lines, you'll get very spongey feel and it may be difficult/impossible to get into gear.
My number #1 suggestion is to check behind the clutch pedal and see if you're getting fluid leaking, it usually happens 1 of two places: either behind the pedal which dumps break fluid into the cab of your car, or at the slave cylinder. What some of the people said (defective seal in the master piston) can also happen. Either way, all of these things can happen as you describe. Usually when your clutch hydraulics go out, you can start the car in first gear, and then rev-match it all the way home, however you can pretty much forget about stopping anywhere in any meaningful way without repeating the same start in first-gear exercise. In a newer car, there may be a clutch-brake lockout that keeps you from starting the car.
Pretty much at this point, check the fluid level, if it has fluid, bleed the slave cylinder and add fluid as necessary. If problems persist first replace the master cylinder, or if the slave is obviously leaking replace that first.
I've always had really bad luck with the "master cylinder rebuilding kit" and it usually started leaking again within a few months. When I just bought a replacement, it lasted until I sold the car.