96 Sunfire- transmission problem?

[swearmp]

I have a 96 Pontiac Sunfire, automatic transmission, with 125,000 miles on it. Recently, the coolant light has been coming on. I have added coolant until it won't take any more, but the light still comes on. Today as I was driving, my engine sputtered and then went out of gear. When I hit the gas in any gear but reverse, the engine revs but the car won't move. Works fine in reverse. Is my transmission shot, and is this related to my coolant system?

[GTP Dad]

The answer to both your questions is YES! But only if the coolant was low. The coolant problem could have caused the transmission to overheat damaging it. The transmission is cooled by sending fluid through a tank inside the radiator. If the coolant in the radiator got too low then the transmission can overheat causing damage. Unfortunately, you are probably going to need to replace the transmission.

[pacman99]

I have a similar problem with my '95 sunfire 5spd manual transmission where I get a grinding noise coming from the transmission. I took it to a mechanic who says that the whole transmission needs to be replaced. But since we've known him for a while he told me to keep driving the car until the transmission dies out as there's no point on spending extra money on a transmission when the car is still running. But i get this REALLY loud grinding noise whenever I press the clutch and sometimes in neutral I hear a softer version of the same sound (when the clutch isn't pressed).
I was wondering if I could do anythign to get rid of the sound? I know the transmission's dying but I might just buy a new car once the transmission goes but for now, that noise is really annoying and embarassing.

Any ideas?

Oh yea, the car sometimes doesn't want to start. I guess the ignition is going but I can easily get around it by pushing the clutch over and over again until it decides to start :P