looks like i'm leaning towards a 2G TL now...I know about the infamous tranny issues. Its a 2000 with 102k miles, the spark plugs, egr system were just done a year ago, one owner, clean carfax. Very clean car in and out..shifts smooth as butter..how do I know if the transmission has been replaced already or is going to need replacing? Is there a VIN number cutoff for the defective transmissions or do I just need to call the dealer with the VIN?

Please let me know if I should stay away from this or not.
Like I said it is obvious the car has been meticulously maintained.
Thanks in advance.

 

see if they also did the timing belt and water pump, as that is a very expensive and somewhat hard thing to do. (probably why they are selling the car)
As for the Tranny it should have Blue bolts on the bottom. Just look under the car you should be able to see them from the front.

 

I believe they have been replaced, but I will have my mechanic check it out for me. As far as the blue bolts I didn't see any when I looked under the hood, however I have not put the car on a lift yet.

 

you can see the blue paint on bolt heads when you open the hood
they are on many bolts that hold the trans together -or trans to the engine
and small parts attached to the trans --same painted blue bolt heads

the trans prob continued into the 2005 gen3 TL so there is NO vin where it is suddenly fixed in gen2
the only vin range was for the court ordered extended warranty

How to know the trans will fail--out of nowhere one day it will act up
Keeping atf changed helps but doesnt cure our problems
Just plan for it $$$