Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Fuel Filter vs. Major Transmission Problem, fuel filter replacement, mechanic shops

Question
I have a 1993 Cutlass Supreme with 125,000 miles on it. Up until a few days ago it has been running fine and I've been zipping along the freeway at 60 mph. It has now lost power and has an airy sound, but no surging and NO "service engine soon" light. If I shift manually between the two D gears I can get the power up to about 40 or 45 mph, but with the rpms going up to 4000 and then settling back down to about 3000. As a woman, we tend to get ripped off at many mechanic shops. From what I've read this could be a fuel filter or fuel pump problem, or as one shop has told me a major transmission problem. What are the symptoms or tests I can use to narrow down the problem? Or, should I simply ask for a fuel filter replacement and hope for the best. Thank you - your site is great!  

Answer
Hello hun
this is a bad gas filter i have ben in my shop for a long time and no gm cars verry well . you just tell them at the shop to change the fuel pump and do not pay any more than 50 installed . good luck to u hun and you have a pretty name  please rate my serivice ps if you need more help let me know pete