So I guess I need to get them replaced, and was wondering if it is worth going to a local transmission shop to have them replaced, or would it be better to go to a shop that specializes in these types of cars?

 

whats wrong with the trans? i build them for a living

 

I'd recommend one of the usual suspects (TRE, Jacks, or Shep) They are all familiar with our transmissions, and they know a few tricks to make them shift better and last longer. I couldn't trust just anyone who rebuilds random transmissions from different makes and models.

 

^^^ Agreed.
These transmissions require some tight tolerances. AAMCO is not going to have the correct shim sets to get the transmission to spec after reassembling it. Send it off to one of the specialists. You'll find that the budget rebuilds will get you into a decent price point even compared to the generic shops.

 

It's pretty hard to get the car into gear sometimes, but someone told me that may be the wrong tranny fluid. And then it started to whine while in first and second gear. I took it into a local shop and they told me it was, without a doubt, my bearings and synchroz. I got three quotes on the fix, one was $800-$1,200, $1,250, and then something crazy like $2,875.

 

Where can I find shops like that?

 

Sheptrans.com

But if your gears have had bad fluid for a while you might be closer to the 2,300 mark.... Send it out to them and they will let you know.

 

http://www.jackstransmissions.com/ - Colorado
http://www.teamrip.com/index.html - Michigan
http://sheptrans.com/ - I forget