Ford Repair: 2005 ford freestyle trans pan gasket leak?, 2005 ford freestyle, pan gasket

Question
hi, i take my car on  a regular basis for oil changes and anything else that needs to be done according to the mileage..as of a few months ago i noticed a little drop or two of oil on my driveway..in any case, after noticing it more and more on my last oil change i told the ford dealership to check the leak..well they told me it was a transmission pan gasket leak and would need to change the gasket and it would cost $245..i told them that it would have to wait and i'll get to it later on...i'd like your opinion on why that's happening on a 50,000 mile car,highway driven,i take care of it..just me and my wife drive it..and also,if you think that's a little excessive for the job,since a gasket can't cost that much..and the labor ,i would think, could only be a couple hours ,tops..anyway, any help would be appreciated..and also, if i could do it myself?or if you have heard on these cars having this problem....thanks for all.......rick!

Answer
I don't believe the dealership is ripping you off. They charge parts and labor. Apparently, this is not a simple transmission filter change or the price would be much lower as on other vehicles. There is apparently intensive labor removing the pan. Have them change the filter also. Being that it is labor intensive, the dealership is where I would go.