Just to add my two cents! My pressure plate gave up after 5000 miles. Before that it was tough to get first but the worse was that I kept stalling the engine. I thought too many years with automatics, but while on vacation in Europe I drove sticks exclusively and no problems. When the PP finally gave up; the pedal stuck to the floor and wouldn't come back. After it was repaired no more stalling and the other change I had done was a short shift kit. I never stall, almost never, and the shifts are night and day more positive.