Hello sounds like a very common problem i see a lot on this type of car with that type of gearbox.
If it was low on oil it would not pick up drive or reverse properly or pull away from a stop.
The common problems are the valve body wears out,they brake a sealing ring inside the gearbox causing oil pressure leak off making it slip or flare on the 2 to 3 up-shift,they also break the ruuber moulded pistons that apply the wet clutch,s for the gears.
So from what you say with out see,ing the car i would say your gearbox is faulty and needs re-conditioning or replacing im afraid.
Richard Butler
rbtransmissions@aol.com
Richard
January 2006