I have a 2003 Honda Civic HX (w/ CVT transmission) with 138,000 miles. For the last couple of years when the car accelerates from a stop the car will judder from about 0-15mph. After 15 mph the car drives fine. However, in the past two weeks when the car comes to a stop the rpm's jump from about 0-1000 and the car feels like its going to stall. Then when the car accelerates it may stall out or judder.
I took the car to a transmission shop and they remove the dipstick from the transmission and could see fine metal and the fluid was dark. (The fluids never been changed.) They then said I need a new tranmission and their's nothing they can do to fix it without a new transmission.
What I don't understand is that the car drives fine after 15mph if the transmission was shot wouldn't the car not operate?
Any suggestions of what could be investigated? I've thought about the EGR valve and the clutch start kit.
Thank you.

I would take a few bucks and change the fluid with the proper Honda CVT ATF--do it after the transmission reaches normal operating temperature. Super simple to do.