Bought 99 Camry, 71k,and automatic floor shifter is much stiffer than my 00,
whick is very slick feeling.

Trans fluid is dark, but not burned looking

Anybody else have this problem/ solution?

00 stuck a little after daughter spilled iced tea over it, but after taking cover off, I was able to clean it up pretty good.

 

There are several areas to check. The shift console itself, a push/pull cable running from the trans shift lever to the console, either could be binding. The shift mechanisum inside the trans has a detent system to stop the lever in each gear position.

You can disconnect the cable from the trans shift lever then move the shift in the car to check if the problem is in cable/console or trans.

If original trans fluid suggest changing it. This is about the right mileage, changing all the trans fluid now will GREATLY increase its life.