Toyota Repair: 1991 Toyota Previa LE Transmission, fluid mechanic, 1991 toyota previa

Question
Hi Ted,

Our Previa with 327,000 miles is acting up again.  1.5 years ago we replaced original motor with a < 40k mile motor from Japan.  At the same time we figured we would put in a < 40k transmission, being that our car had 300,000 miles on it.  The automatic transmission appears to hesitate and surge when in low gear pulling away at a stop sign, traffic light or any standstill position.  At that time there was no problem beyond 10mph and if you manually shifted the transmission as you went from a standstill the car responded without a problem.  We brought it in to transmission specialist who said the clutch in the tranny may be suspect and he recommended replacing filter and tranny fluid as it was dark and smelling like shellac.  After we replaced filter and fluid, mechanic said some parts in the transmission needed to be replaced.  Sure enough, on my test drive home with the car, the tranny was not only slipping from standstill but also at the 40-50 mph range also.  The mechanic's estimate for rebuilding existing tranny is $2200 with a 6000 mile/6 month warranty.  Do you have any advice knowing that, in general, we love this car and we are hoping to keep it going until after we have another child?  PS- this tranny mechanic was recommended by regular mechanic as being the best in the area.  Thanks in advance, Mario  

Answer
There is no doubt that there is a transmission problem, the price for rebuilding it sems reasonable just make sure that the rebuilder is willing to give you at least a one year/12000 mile warranty.
Is the $2200 figure guaranteed for the rebuilt or is it just a figure going in that could increase if any hard parts in the transmission need to be replaced, there is a difference between rebuilding a transmission and overhauling one, the rebuilt price is a set price that you get up front and it can not increase, an overhaul estimate means that once the transmission is opened up there can be more parts that may be needed and will add to the final cost. There are laws governing these procedures depending on what state you reside in so be careful because that transmission work may cost much more, get a commitment in writing that the cost of rebuilding it includes all the parts and labor, in this case $2200 if you can do that I would go ahead and have it done.