About to purchase...some questions
 

Looking to buy a 4th gen for a 2nd family car.
I am buying cheap...$1500 price range.
Several to choose from where I live. Oklahoma...so no rust...just high miles.

95% of my driving is highway. If we just go get daughter from school, 22 miles each way...20 are 65mph
If I take it to work. 55 miles. 50 are 65-75mph
We travel from Oklahoma to Nebraska several times a year. About 450 miles each way.

So.
1. Will it really matter Sport or LX or SXT etc?
2. My guess is 3.3 or 3.8 is ok. I know some say 3.3 is better mpg but sluggish. I drive like a grandpa and set the cruise on everything anyways. (other car is a diesel F250)
3. Normally don't like leather because when its 105 outside leather is hot. Do dark tints prevent that....or still the same?
4. How can I know (short of taking it to mechanic) if tranny has life in it? Seams that is the main thing to be afraid of.