[black_catera]

Well, exactly 6 days ago today I made the plunge and purchased a 2001 Cadillac Catera from a dealer out of state. The car only has 58k miles on it.
The valve cover gaskets were replaced on it right before I took orwnership of the car.

Well, It seems to have a weird shifting problem. After you drive it on the HWY for some time(even just a mile or so) it seems the transmission gets up to operating temp. And the 2-3 shift is weird. In the 2-3 shift it feels kinda like a neutral drop. It also takes a few seconds to shift from P to D or P to R or R to D.
There are no trouble codes coming up at all. Also, if you kind of floor it to pass someone, it slips pretty badly, and if you push the gas a little quick from a stop the transmission will either slip, or shake violently. Although, if you baby the car, it drives perfect, except for sometimes the 2-3 shift will be wacky.

I took the car to AAMCO transmissions yesterday, and they diagnosed the transmission. They said it is losing pressure causing something to slip and do what I am describing. They reccomended either a re-build, or purchase a used transmission and have it installed.

So my question is this. Were transmissions known to be bad in these cars?
I did find a local transmission with 75k miles on it from a 99 catera here in town. Is this worth getting, or should I try to stay at/under my mileage?

I called the dealer I purchased this car from yesterday(keep in mind I've only owned it 6 days, and paid $7,500 with tax title and liscense) And all they said was "I'll find out and call you back" of course I never received a call back yet. And I'm kind of in a hurry because the car has t be dropped off today as it takes 3 days for the shop to change the transmission, and I need it by monday(we can't be reduced to one car, it wouldn't work.)

Also, after a longer trip(took it out of town monday, about 90 miles one way.) And there seemed to be a tiny bit of what looked like smoke, but it really didn't have much of a smell, could be tranny related though? Or could it be that crankcase breather clogged like mentioned on this website?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions. Other then these few problems we are VERY happy with the car.