I just bought a 1999 TL for cheap with the understanding that there might be transmission issues. The car has 128,000 miles on it and the transmission has never been replaced. It shifts fine through all 4 forward gears with no noise whatsoever. When the car is cold, it operates in revers with no problem. However, it seems when the car is warmed up it has a problem in reverse. When I put it in reverse, it rolls backward fine for six or seven feet, then it is as if I put my foot on the brake, or as if the parking brake is on. There is no indication that it is slipping (like the RPMs going up). The more gas I give it, it seems that I am putting more pressure on the brake pedel, thought I am not touching the brake pedel at all.

I also put the car up on jacks and replicated the problem. Then when I put it in neutral, the wheels started rotating forward. Any suggestions in troubleshooting this?

Also, has anyone had any experience with low mileage used transmission imported from Japan?