2000 neon (5 sp) help

i have a 2000 neon thats been giving me problems lately,1st i loose my reverse cant even get it in to reverse.bushings are good new clutch was installed 6 months ago.the garage that put the new clutch in says i need a new trans.2nd is i started getting this rattling noise near the water pump,i exselerate the engine and it turns into a squealing like its a belt.now the garage says i need a water pump.im no mechanic but i have done a little research and goten some other opionions from diferant garages.1 mechanic said that they wont now untel they take the engine apart.needless to say these people are not top rate mechanics.any sugjestions on what the problems mite be that i could do myself.or bite the bullet and pay 6 months of morgage to get it done