[wiswind]

From an economic standpoint.....buying a brand new vehicle is not the best way to go.
A vehicle will depreciate about 40-50% in the first 3 years.......
If you buy a 3 year old vehicle, in good condition, someone else has taken the brunt of the depreciation......and you can save a LOT of money.
Of course, you could end up with a problem vehicle......but you are still a bunch of money ahead if you buy a powertrain warrenty from the manufacturer.
Of course, you don't get that pride of owning a new vehicle.......and I do love that feeling.

Jasper engines and transmissions (expensive) will give you a list of local installers on their website. That might be a way to find a good local shop.
They have a very good warrenty on their engines.
They claim to have made the improvements in their re-manufacturing process.....as in using the improved gaskets that I mentioned.

Again, it comes down to a personal choice......and engine is a LOT of money......and if the tranny goes out a month later, you have made a bad choice.
If you buy another vehicle.....and have problems, you may have made a bad choice again (I would get that warranty, which would help a LOT).

I bought my '96 in '99, with just under 38K miles on it.
I ended up replacing the transmission at 100K miles.
I have had other repairs.....most I did myself.
Now, at over 173K miles.....It is running great....and I plan to keep driving it.