So....I have had new transmission number 2 in the car for about 24 hours now. Out of several dozen stops and starts driving around the city, I have had one incident of the shifter not wanting to go into first, and even that instance was what I would call "mild".
This one is far smoother all through the gears than the either the original tranny or the first replacement.
The bizarre squeaking noise that appeared in the front end after the first tranny replacement is gone as well.
I still have my doubts the tranny itself is/was ever the problem. I think this time the dealer has inadvertently fixed whatever was wrong.
As for the damage (bent sideskirts, greasy door panels, tranny fluid all over the console) in previous visits: I picked the car up yesterday to find it absolutely sparkling, spotless clean...inside and out. They'd even washed the dirty coffee mug I'd left on the floor in the back seat.
I'm going to give this tranny a few more miles before I pass final judgement.
