Need advice before my warranty expires in 11 days (30,000 miles). I've had the car about 45 days and have only put about 1000 miles on her in that time.

My OD does not engage until around 40 mph if easing up to speed. Once engaged it will downshift into 3rd around 30 mph. This seems a little high for OD engagement. My old '92 has always shifted into OD at around 30 mph. At 40-50 mph the tach reads about 1300-1400 rpm when she IS in OD.

Does the shift point sound okay for the 2001? So far I've seen about 28 mpg on a trip, 4 adults, 19 degrees F. Around town (still in the 30'* and 40'* where I live) she'* getting about 22.5 to 23 mpg.

Also I've noticed that if I stop a little abruptly than a smooth slow stop the trans seems to have an almost imperceptible (I mean VERY SLIGHT) stutter just before coming to a complete stop. It is almost as if the trans is downshifting into 1st around 2-5 mph. A little late? If I brake to a smooth slow stop the trans is very smooth.

Does all this sound about normal for this trans? Upshifts and downships are silky smooth otherwise. I've let others drive the car (without telling them about this), then I've asked, "how does she drive?". The answer is always "sweet". Am I paranoid?

Hmm...I dont even get to third until about 42 aceeling slowly, but 4th usually follows quickly thereafter. This sounds right to me but im not sure about your decel problem. I have never noticed the tranny doing aything different under a hard stop as oppsed to a soft stop. Could be something is moving under the car that has a lot of inertia under hard stops?

Nothing sounds out of ordinary there.
1400 rpm at speed is normal. And the fuel economy is within norms.
Might be a good idea to have them look at it though, you might get a tranny flush which is good anytime