When I put my car (2007 TL Type-S) in 3rd gear, release the clutch, and press the gas, the rpm's will (as usual), shoot up to 3K. In spirited driving (not crazy aggressive), I will usually keep my foot on the gas to continue the acceleration and rpm increase. At this point, the car will drop like 2-300 rpms and then quickly bounce back. When it bounces back and goes over 3K rpm, it pulls like a champ and no other noticeable problems. Some other notable points:

1. I'm not certain this only happens in 3rd gear, but this is usually where I notice it since I am typically shifting out of 1st and 2nd pretty early
2. I think this has also happened to me in 4th gear, but not 100% on this either
3. Originally I thought it was only right after I had shifted into gear, rather than if I was sitting in gear the whole time (which made me think it was the clutch). But, I think it has happened once when the car was already in gear for a while.

Sorry for not being so sure about some of the details, but this only happens during spirited driving when I don't really want to look down at the tach. Also, the 300 rpm drop is pretty subtle.

My car has 109K miles on it and I have never had the clutch replaced, so my initial thought is it's just the clutch going. Does that sound right?

 

If your RPMs are changing but your speed is not, the clutch is slipping....that is all there is to it. I haven't had this issue yet, but the theory on here is you will experience slipping in higher gears before lower gears.

 

As Jackass said, a classic case of a worn out clutch.

 

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping it was the clutch (and NOT the tranny!)

Any idea how much a clutch replacement costs at a typical shop? I hear they are around $1000...

 

you hear, or you've gotten quotes!?
why not stop the hearsay and grab actual quotes...

you can find the OEM clutch kit on ebay, for about $150-200..the brand name is Luk.
then it would be up to you to grab quotes from different shops to figure out who is the cheapest.

with that being said; I bought the OEM clutch kit from a dealer vendor for about $400 (didnt know of the other options at the time) and had an indie mechanic install it for about $600

 

A typical test to 100% isolate the issue as clutch-related: On the highway, engage 6th gear and cruise. If you push the throttle to the floor and and the revs shoot up, you're correct in guessing it's the clutch going.