I think you have those switched... a used transmission is probably about $300, and 3 grand to install it. On most cars the transmission is probably the biggest

I think you have those switched... a used transmission is probably about $300, and 3 grand to install it. On most cars the transmission is probably the biggest failure liability- I pretty much only drive manuals for that reason, doing a clutch is a lot cheaper than replacing an automatic, and the better you are at driving it the less you need to do it.