So after searching in NYC for a reputable trans rebuild spot and weeding out all the b/s ($2800 6month warranty) I found a place in Huntington, LI
(
The Little Garage) They're pricing, $2750 with 24month or 24,000 mile warranty.
I did not want to use Aamco because after taking it to a local one in the Bronx for their "complimentary trans scan" they told me that it did not need a rebuild, that it was merely a gear slip. Not the case. 3rd gear was slipping everyday and trans fail safe's all the time. I could drive it on manual, but it would start on 2nd gear and I would still get hard shift to 3rd. I was not able to go up a steep hill without gear slipping and trans fail-sage engaging.
Took it to a shop in Mount Vernon (
Euromeccanica - Auto Maintenance & Repair Services) and the owner, very nice man, Mike Shiffer confirmed that I needed a trans rebuild. He even offered to do a fluid/filter change and transmission software update and if the problem persisted he would only charge me 1/2 price and that didn't work. Once he took it out to test drive, Trans Fail Safe engaged. So he only charged me 1hr labor @ $108. Not bad.
I will keep update once the rebuild is complete.