Dodge Repair: 96 Dodge Grand Caravan Transmission Problem, dodge grand caravan, interior issues

Question
We have a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan LE which needs transmission work.

Several years ago, the dealership told us the transmission was going to "go"
at some point in the future and that the entire thing would need to be
replaced. At the time, it was just acting a little temperamental. We have other
cars, so we just  made the van an "occasional" car. Now, we need to fix it.

The main issue is that the car doesn't shift (well). Some times it will go into
gear perfectly and other times you have to press the accelerator and wait for
it to kick into gear. If you drive it too much during the summer (really hot
weather), it overheats and you can't drive it for several hours. There are a few
interior issues relating to the radio and the air conditioning, but the main
thing is the transmission.

The main question is what would be the best option as far as getting our van
back up to good/running condition? We love the van and positively do not
want to get rid of it. Should we take it back to the dealership? Or try
someplace like Aamco or Cottman? Or a private mechanic? It is well outside
the warranty period. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I want to get the van
in good running condition as my kids will be driving it to school.

Any advice on what we should be on the lookout for as far as the
mechanic/repair shop goes would be appreciated as well.

Thank you! :-)

Answer
The price u want to pay is up to U   I will tell u this much  for car repair most of the time  if u want it done right  the dealer is your best option  there we have the tools and correct clutches and so on to fix it right  then again like any place  if the person does not know what they are doing  u get the same issues as some one that does not know what they doing. It sounds like the 2-4 clutch is going bad on u and a total rebuild at that many miles would be what I would do.
The cost factor is up to u on what U want and were u want to take it.