err, clutch slipping?

it's an AUTO tranny. it has no clutch.

i would also go with GH's theory. a car that age with an auto-tranny.. i think it's possible to overhaul these things. what usually gives in an auto tranny? the planetary gearset or the torque converter? or the solenoids for shifting gears?

that's a pretty damn expensive surplus tranny. someone quoted me a Mazda KL-01 engine (2.5L V6) and auto-tranny for 30k. no labor yet, but that's for both the engine and the tranny.