i want to stay auto

There is no reason a properly rebuilt A4ld won't last 100K+ miles behind a NA engine. However, it should be properly maintained, with regular fluid changes.
Your only other inexpensive options are the C3 (A4ld with no OD), and the C4 (you need a RARE bellhousing, and it still has no OD).

I think there is way too much hype on how bad a A4LD is. Most people slam them. I have an A4LD tranny and have no problems with it. I'd prefer a standard, but only cause it funner to drive. And more control. I really don't think an A4LD is a POS, but others of course will disagree.

There are 3 A4LD cars on the local board that are "parts" cars because of the trans. I had to replace the one in my daughter's 91 @ 110k. It's slipping again @137K. They can be made reliable using Explorer internals but its a bit spendy.

Best idea i have heard yet is(as far as keeping the auto) : rip it out, have it rebuilt WITH A WARRANTY...it will break, but its nice to have it coverd.

This is my opinion on an a4ld trans: they are garbage. I have an A4ld that was built with exploder um I mean explorer parts and the guy told me it would still not handle over 200-250 hp estimated, and it cost me 1,020 bucks, shift kit stall converter, new pump and rebuilt. They run really hot with a converter on them, so the shift kit would only hit hard when cold, but with a trans cooler it worked well, it would bark some 225 size tires on a limited slip rear. Can't turn up line pressure or you will break it. Can't get too big a stall (needed for turbo applications) or you break it. Can't put too much power thru it or you'll break it. Right now the tranny is sitting in perfectly good condition, collecting dust in the garage because I soon switched to a 5 speed which was cheaper to install any ways. By the way that A4LD trans is for sale if anyone is looking, 300 dollars or best offer. Isn't there supposed to be a "Parts for sale" section to this site???

A4LD defense

I have to say that the a4ld has gotten a bit of a bad rap too.
I see a lot of them that have failed after 100,000 miles or more
BUT.....These were never designed to be performance trannies.
In fact a4ld stands for Automatic 4-speed Light Duty!
I just bought a 91 with a bad a4ld that had never hads the fluid changed.
141,000 miles!
My 69 is on its 3rd C-4 and it only has 91,000 miles on it.
I did not use the transmission in its designed function and I broke it!!!
I hammered it till it broke.
a4lds will do the same thing. Bark them big tires and fail to maintain the tranny will result in failure. Add a bunch of horsepower and add a shift kit
and it will break.
For a daily driver...100,000 miles with no maintainance!!??!!
Sounds good to me! I have a 84 2.3 turbo vert that has a T-5 and an a4ld is not even an option that I would consider.
91 2.3 vert that my sister-in-law's sister is going to drive back and forth to work??? a4ld is perfect for the job!
The majority of the tansmission shops that I have seen have one function..
rebuild the tranny!! They must actually do more in labor to diagnose a problem
and labor is up to 95% of the cost! It is not cost effective for them to troubleshoot.
Sorry for the soapbox speech but I have been researching this very subject for about 2 weeks.
Bruce (TX)

Hell mines turbo and I beat the **** out of it and I have yet to break it

And I STILL contest that I have THE fastest auto 2.3 on stangnet. I need a CT saying that