Okay so last week, my check engine light starts flashing as I'm driving down the highway, and it starts refusing to accelerate. Basically, the car sounds like its revving faintly, but starts shaking when I give gas. Starts out in quick instances, and then quickly becomes permanent. Pulling off at the upcoming exit, i find that in neutral, the car stars shaking and rumbling violently and loudly AND there is smoke coming out of my cup holder, back arm compartment, and trunk. After sitting on a flatbed for the second time in 3 months (first was for a broken clutch pedal bracket... something they'd "never ever seen before") I am told that my "catalytic converter clogged up" and got so hot, the carpet melted.
I only did a quick search, but has anyone heard of this happening? I have an 04, 31k miles only (don't do too much driving).

Now, I love my car. But not only have these things caused me serious problems, the car just ISN'T fun to drive anymore. Namely because the gears grind heavily between 1st and 2nd, and 3rd and 4th, and even slightly from 4th to 5th. I know there have been posts about this in the past, but I'm not sure of the action that can be taken to fix this. Twice I've asked the dealership to look at the transmission and they tell me, of course, eveyrthing is fine. I'm ready to have them sit in the test car, then sit in mine and TELL me I'm still wrong. Any tips on getting them to fix an obvious problem which they choose to ignore? Sorry for this long rant, but I'm so frustrated with getting things done and the car just isn't smooth and fun to drive.

Oh, and lucky me, despite all the right side carpeting being replace, my car still smells like a mix between an electrical fire and burnt carpet.

 

Oh, sorry. Posted in the wrong section. I apologize.