Ok, so I had her out for a cruise today to further monitor the symptoms.
I tried the starting in gear with clutch down... no lurching. Just the usual squeak from the clutch pedal being depressed.
On driving around, progress through the gears is notchy and stiff, with plenty of grinding if the revs ain't quite right. Once in gear and the clutch engaged, no odd noises.
So, given this is a sports car and there's no point driving around like a Honda Jazz on a Sunday afternoon, I am compelled to come to a decision on fixing her...
<Cue Theme from Simon Bates' "Our Tune">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ZDsUGiGqMTo be honest, this is the first time I've been in any doubt as to whether keeping the old gal is for the best. It's a little disheartening. I suppose it's the first problem I've had that I probably can't fix myself, but right now with my good lady being off on maternity leave and having two young kids I can't afford a money pit. There's also a knock from the N/S/F suspension which is going to need hard cash spent, even with me doing the spanner work.
So I'm going to have to garage her for a bit, wait til I've got the hard cash to spend on her, then get her back on the road. The other option of course it to... I can't say it... sell her. Not at all keen on the second option, but I suppose it's the "sensible dad" voice which I sometimes hear. Obviously, the car is worth more to me than the paltry amount it would fetch with it's current ailments. I can smell mothballs...