Wow you jumped right on it!

I didn't really have much of a choice once I had the car towed to the shop.

I was surprised to get a call from the transmission shop earlier today that the 'vert was ready. Based on my previous conversation with them, I wasn't expecting it until next week. The bill was worse than I'd expected at $2,100 but that included $600 for the replacement transmission core. If the invoice is any indicator, the rebuild was pretty comprehensive. The car drives fine although it'* a little sluggish starting off. Once it gets out of first gear, it'* fine. The best part is the slop in the shifter is absolutely gone. Pull the lever back to the detente at 'D' and it'* firmly in drive and not in third. I tried to engage the guy in conversation about the old transmission but he'* apparently one of these people who tries to get through life with as few words as possible.

We had heavy rains here yesterday, which I believe was the remnants of hurricane Sally, so there was a ton of water in the vinyl boot into which the top folds. Fortunately, a couple of minutes with a wet/dry vac and a wipe-down with a towel took care of it. I'm thankful the boot is watertight, even if the top isn't. Oh well, that'* something else I can start saving up for, along with the air conditioner and the ABS. Such are the joys of owning an older car.

That'* good news. $1,500.00 for an overhaul on that transmission is a good price in my area. Watch that first-gear sluggishness. I can't tell from your brief description, but if it accelerates better in second than first, it might be something going on in the transmission.

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!!
I just went to take the convertible out for a ride and it won't go into reverse to go up the driveway. It'll go into drive but not reverse. Back to the shop on Monday for them to get it right.

Sorry to hear that. At least it'* under warranty.

I got the 'vert back this afternoon. Turns out a cable needed to be adjusted. It'* now working fine, forward and backward. I took it for a little shake-down run, about 35 miles or so, the lag I felt in first gear was present at first but it went away and didn't return after the transmission got warmed up. I guess things just needed to settle in a bit.

Great news!

Well, it'* better than it was before but not totally cured. I took the 'vert out today to get a state inspection so I could renew the registration and I still had difficulty finding reverse. I had to jiggle the shifter back and forth a bit and it would finally go into reverse instead of neutral. Whereas the old transmission had some slop between drive and third, this one is sloppy between reverse and neutral. I guess I'll be taking it back to the shop once again to see if they can tighten it up better.

I'm a bit concerned. This shouldn't be going back to them this much.