[V8] Subaru question. VLAC

[Roger Woodbury]

Ok, so my daughter who has the '97 Subaru Outback has had the transmission
analyzed.  The symptoms are reluctance to shift into drive when the
transmission and car are fully warmed up.  Eventually, the transmission does
shift, but it "feels" like it is slipping.

The diagnosis was the reverse drum seal failure and replacement or overhaul
is the only repair.  $3900.00!  Ouch.

Now she is in Virginia, Beach, and is in no position to replace the car, nor
to buy a new one.  So I am looking for alternative diagnoses or procedures
and thought I'd throw this out to the list to see if anyone knows exactly
what this diagnosis means.

Now it needs to be said here that she drove the car to Cape Cod and back
over Thanksgiving weekend, and the car and transmission performed
appropriately. The car has 171,000 miles, and I am wondering if she can
drive the car the way it is for another, say ten thousand miles or so
without risking immediate or catastrophic transmission failure.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Roger