stupid question, but may make sense, I"m not very mechanically inclined so, as far as the tranny fluid goes, how do you go about checking it? there's no dipstick really so how do you all go about it?

guessing that you have a 4 speed and its probably newer you would have to check it from underneath the car
on the passenger side right under the axle there is an 11mm or 7/16 bolt.
with the engine warm remove the plug and a little bit of fluid will pour out.
if no fluid comes out there is a fill on top of the transmission (red cap)
hopefully that helps

that helps a lot, I should have been more specific, I own a 4 speed and its an 02 model. thanks a lot!