wierd tranny problem, wondering if its major or just the linkage Options

[Redline08]

So i just picked up a 99 celica gt with 120k miles on it for $100. Its an auto but the transmission is funny, you dont have to push the button to shift through park and reverse ect, and when you put the car in park you cant turn the key passed accesory or whichever position makes the key completely vertical. Its almost like the ECU doesnt recognize the car is in park, wierd.

Any ideas on what is wrong? for $100 i dont really care if its a major problem because i can just swap a manual tranny in if it needs a new auto one. But if its just a shift linkage problem or ECU problem <$500 i would just keep it an auto ya digg?

Thanks for your ideas, everything helps!