03 vibe awd 4spd auto skips 3rd

[chromelampshade]

2003 pontiac vibe awd base 1.8L 4spd auto transmission
I'm having some issues, unsure if its mainly trans related or engine.
First, I notice the transmission loves to skip 3rd (driving habits maybe??) Whenever I first start my vehicle and I back out the driveway in reverse or take off in drive I hear a scrape sound, then nothing else, irregardless if vehicle is warm or not.

The vehicle itself feels very very slow, doesn't misfire or anything but its difficult to get it to break 4k RPM unless I'm starting from a stop.

Ahwile ago the only major codes I've had was engine running to lean bank 1

Transmission fluid looks a little torched, but still is pink. I'm not a transmission expert so.
If worst comes to worst, could I swap out with a 5spd auto?

[SeattleJeremy]

The 5-speed auto in the 09-10 cars is not compatible with the 08 and older cars without extensive surgery.

AWD Vibes are pretty slow to begin with (because of the extra drive train and extra cat), is it slower than it use to be?
Scraping sounds are typically pretty bad. Does it happen when you start from a stop? How long ago did that start?

[chromelampshade]

it only happens once when i go from reverse or drive when trans is cold, honestly unsure if i could compare because the car always felt slow and had some, CEL, but nothing serious, always got to a to b, however just feels really slow and restricted.
also hard to explain, ill have to send a video, when i lift off throttle driving no matter the speed, the rpm will dip down below wheel speed then back up. For instance, cruising doing 1.5 - 2k RPM, i lift off throttle, dips down under 800 RPM (or however fast the wheel speed is), then back up to 800RPM

[SeattleJeremy]

Misfires can cause all kinds of troubles, including making an automatic transmission act funny.

i lift off throttle, dips down under 800 RPM (or however fast the wheel speed is), then back up to 800RPM

That sounds like an air/fuel issue. I recommend taking it to an independent mechanic shop to have them diagnose it.

[SSizler]

Scraping sounds from reverse to forward can be CV joints or brake pads shifting in the mounts.
The MU5 / 341F AWD transmission is certainly different than the FWD trans.
When mine drifts down on deceleration it just hits idle speed.
Is your throttle body and IAC circuit clean?

[chromelampshade]

Unsure, I'll have to take it to a mechanic and see what they say. This car is my daily right now and I know how to change parts, not diagnose problems

at the end of the day i dont mind getting a new daily and reserving this car for fun stuff, audio, building, etc. New trans and engine