With the help of some contributors here, I have identified a ASE shop that can swap out a transaxle about 120 miles from home. Am going up there soon to talk and get an estimate. Don't know how the economics will work out, as I have a potential buyer for the car as is. Had 2003 towed back home today. After inspecting brakes, am now convinced that my other thread concerning the brake warning light that was on intermittently was somehow connected with the ultimate failure of the transaxle and was never a case of the brake shoes freezing to the backing plate. That intermittent light, plus the decreasing MPG plus the decelleration when coasting downhill was misread as a brake problem. I think all these symptoms are a precursor to a transaxle failure.