1991 corrolla transmission problem?

My car stopped while driving to work and had to be towed. It was going at 50MPH , I heard small noise (not bang or metallic sound) some thing like splutter. Whne moved aside, it stopped moving altogether. I towed it home after two days I could move it forwad and backward, Not willing to take any chance and would like to show it to a mechanic. What do you think the problem could be? Is this an automatic or standard-shift transmission?

The problem could be a number of things. To narrow it down we need to know what kind of transmission we're dealing with.

Also, any details you can give could be very helpful.

Does the engine race, but you move nowhere? Does the engine bog down, yet you still don't move? Thanks for the response.

Its automatic transmission. I could shift the "Auto tranmission" using the lever. When I start the engine, the engine is normal and when I put in different gears alos, it is normall. it is not racing or bogging down. Yesterday I could even reverse it and forward it. But I should say its not moving freely. Hence I did not want to damage it. (i moved it for few feet only)
Please let me know if you need further info Did it run out of fluid? The dip stick shows fluid in it. ( I have double checked)
But just curios, does it have some interlock that prevents it running (moving) if the liquid level is less or empty? Took it to a mechanic (local). He says transmission need to be changed. But like mentioned I am able to dirve the car to small distance ( say few feet) with out any problem ( I did not try long distance fearing it would stop).
Could somebody help me diagnose it? Cause the transmission cost outweighs the actual car cost. He says the transmission change could cost $1800 with 30000 mile warranty.
Is it not odd, when I could move the car freely, I am told the transmission needs replacement?
Please help as I have to make a decision whether or not to go for it. You could have a trans problem. I won't be sol bold as to try and decide. BUT, there is always the chance that your "timing chain" could have broke. This will stop you from moving at all. Think of it as a bicycle chain that brakes, its a similar concept. The chain turns and moves parts so the car can move. Its not uncommon for them to brake and I beleive they are meant to be replaced every 70K miles or so. I would have a mechanic take a look to be sure. I've seen them cost from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. It all depends on what type of car you have and how hard they are to get to. Any mechanic can look it up and give you a price over the phone. Again, this is just a "possible" cause.
Tom After reading your new info that the car did move a few feet I am all of a sudden "not sure" if timing chain could be problem. There is possibility that chain can be out of line or slipping and still allow some movement and not actually broke. I'm going to back up out of this situation now cause at this point all I could do is guess! Thanks Tom,
May be its may ignorance. Are you talking about timeing cahin that controls the Engine? If it is so I had the timing belts changed on the engine when it was 120K.
Please eloborate if you can We may be saying the same thing. The timing chain is an actual chain not a belt although many times its called belt. Its within a metal cover attached to the engine. You cannt see it from the outside. The only other possible confusion there may be is "Fan Belts" which are the "rubber" belts that are in plain view and turn the fan blade. Now which belts did you have done? Tom Thanks
all belts... I got them changed when the car was at 120K
I think timing controls the engine. Right? Bu my engine, I could start with out problem. The problem is that the car stopped while engine was running. When I towed it hom after two days, I could revers it and move forward. My mehcnaic says that the transmission need to be replaces which costs more than the car does. My point is how can transmission gets damaged when there is full "transmission oil". Also please note that I could move the vehicle forward/reverse after two days.

Please let me know Hi,
By virtue that you were able to start the car and move it would most likely then not be the timing chain. My fault for missing that. Normally when the timing chain goes out the car won't even start at all. Transmissions are very complex and contain many internal parts that all have to work just right. Proper fluid and levels are critical to the operation but doesn't guarantee that something else may not go wrong.
I'm not a transmission person and cannot give any advice on this. This is where a trans specialist comes into play. Maybe someone else on line with us can direct you further or else you may just have to shop around with some mechanics and get some opinions and see who can offer you the best proce and guarantee. Good Luck Thanks Tom,
Can somebody with Tansmissions knowledge help me on this problem?????Car Repair Talk's forum.