Todd, the only thing that I might add to all this (I have been on the market for a used CD4E for about a month now) and make sure that whoever you get the tranny from has had it dynoed. What this means is that the tranny was put on machine to test it before shipping it out to you.
From the junkyards I have talked to in my area, they will work with you if the tranny you get does not work after install and it is proven to be an internal problem and not an install problem. But from what I have found, it is really hard to find a used 2000+ tranny that the car did not have serious frontale damage or the tranny was already out of the car (in that case, you have no idea what was wrong with the car in the first place.)
I found several really nice possiblities for around $700-$850! But I am taking my time since my tranny is not all that messed up. I have managed to fix the two leaks I had and other then a small surge when shifting into 4th gear, it is fine. In the meantime, I have put a bottle of TransX in it, just to hopfully help it out some. If you can get a reman for $900, I would seriously ask some questions. Take it from me, I have tried the cheapest route before and am still paying the price.
If forking out $3000 for a installed reman is beyond your reach, then bone yard is your best bet. Just with a year 2000 or better. Even if you go to somewhere like Cottmans Transmissions, you are still going to pay around $1600 just for the reman. Labor will most likely run around $400. We are talking about half of what the car is worth. I mean I love my car just as much as the next, but... well do the math again if you don't get it yet.
Just my two cents. Hope it helps you out some.
