Hoping to get some insight into a problem with my 2001 TT 2WD 5 speed Manual Shift, really two things.

1. While driving at different gears every now and then (maybe once every 150mi) the car starts to grind and stops powering the wheels; feels like it is falling out of gear although the stick doesn't move. To manage, I engage the clutch, move the stick from the gear it is still in over to neutral, the back into whatever gear I need (including the same) and things are back to normal. Transmission light turns on when the event happens, goes off w/turning car off then on.

2. When accelerating in 5th gear, the car feels often feels like it is struggling around 60 mph, but then beyond that does great.

W/the age of the car gotta start thinking repairs v. value, honestly I can deal w/both of these at the moment but moved to a new state that thoroughly inspects cars when registering them. Hoping for some ideas of what I'll hear from the mechanic.