Cluth or Transmission?!?! 93 Prism

We just bought a 1993 Geo Prism 5spd. When we test drove it- it seemed the clutch had to come almost all the way up before you would move (all cars are different though, so we didn't think much about it). We put it on the road today and started driving it- While in gear if you push the gas hard it will slip- it's like the rpms are reving but you are no speeding up as you should (hope that makes sense). We checked some fluids, not sure how many we should check...also any tips on changing the clutch if that seems to be the problem- Thanks

I'm having a similar issue with my 94 prizm lsi 1.6L manual trans. 166000 miles. I've begun to notice that when going uphill, if I push on the gas more than a little, the rpms go up more than the car is accelerating. It does not slip out of gear and there is no noticeable noise from the transmission. It just takes a few seconds for the speed to catch up with the rpms. I don't think this is normal. I've had other vehicles with manual trans. and never noticed this. Also I've have this car for 5 years and just recently this started occurring. Any help greatly appreciated. thanks
Chris

Check the clutch resevoir, it is on the firewall drivers side if that is low or empty add some brake fluid. If not then it is the clutch, going uphill gaining RPMs but not speed is definetly the clutch.

I'm having a similar issue with my 94 prizm lsi 1.6L manual trans. 166000 miles. I've begun to notice that when going uphill, if I push on the gas more than a little, the rpms go up more than the car is accelerating. It does not slip out of gear and there is no noticeable noise from the transmission. It just takes a few seconds for the speed to catch up with the rpms. I don't think this is normal. I've had other vehicles with manual trans. and never noticed this. Also I've have this car for 5 years and just recently this started occurring. Any help greatly appreciated. thanks
Chris

It sound like the clutch is going out. Does it do it if you down shif to a lower gear? if not the cluch is going. Is there a smell after it does it like burnt brakes? If so your clutch is slipping