How much will it cost for a front wheel drive auto transmission?

Okay so my dad just got this car from my moms friend, and the transmission doesn't work (We knew this when we got it) and we were wondering how much it would cost to get one professionally installed. It's a 2001 Ford Taurus SES and we're sort of on a tight budget, so if anyone knows a place that'll do it for 1500$ or less it'd be great! Or can someone give me a sight or tell me how to switch it as a DIY project. I know its difficult, but we need this car, desperately, so we'll do whatever we have to (within our price range)

Added (1). *site wow I'm out of it today

Ford Taurus not starting?

I have a 2003 ford Taurus, Thursday I drove to school then home no problem but when I went to pick up my son my car wouldn't start. I had power for the radio and a/c so I don't think it could be the battery. It just won't turn on for the pSt few days. Anyone know what could be wrong?

Does burnt transmission fluid means I need a new transmission?

Yesterday I was driving my 2000 Ford Taurus SES. As i was driving it started to decelerate, but didn't turn off. (This has never happen before. My check engine light wasn't even on.) So i pull over check under thing a belt popped that wasn't the case. So i get back in and try to continue to drive, it won't go over 20.
So I got it towed to a repair shop. They told me the transmission fluids are burnt really and needed to be flushed and the filter kit needs to be replaced but if they flush it its a 50/50 chance it can fix my car or continue to ruin the transmission.

Selling an '00 Taurus and buying a '99 Camry?

I'm thinking of selling my 2000 Ford Taurus and buying a 1998 or 1999 Toyota Camry. I could probably get about $2000 for my Taurus, and I'd spend about $4000 on the Camry.

My Taurus runs and only has 130,000 miles on it. But I've had tons of trouble with my Taurus, and from what I hear, Camrys are far more reliable than any Ford of that era. I just have trouble shelling out the money for a car that is 15 years old.

I'm currently looking at a '99 with 100,000 miles and a '98 with 98,000 miles. Each one is selling for around $4,000. Would it be a dumb idea to sell the Taurus and buy a Camry, even if it's 15 years old? Here's the ad for the '98.

http://madison.craigslist.org/cto/4595766849.html