Should I try to clean it or buy a new one for about $200?

You can clean it at virtually no cost compared to $200. What steps did you take to determine it is "bad".

I got a 95 maf, I don't need it make me an offer

Hooked it up to a computer. Everytime the car ****ed up, the Service Engine Soon light would come on. So, I finally got the trouble code the computer was generating.

Could a bad MAF affect the transmission in any way?

What symptoms is your car exhibiting? Other than the SES, does it have problems at certain RPM possibly seeming like its not kicking into gear right (which might really be the car throwing a bad Fuel-Air mix causing it to not combust properly producing a drop in power)...?

What code was set?

I had a recurring SES light that pointed to the MAF, and it ended up being a short in the pigtail connection leading up to the MAF. Threw on a new pigtail and was back in business code-free.

If you've got a friend that can hook you up with their MAF for 10 minutes, you be able to rule this possiblity in or out.

i also have the a spare maf sitting around...off my 96z.

would love to get rid of it

Yeah, sometimes at idle it'll die. Other times at idle when the SES turns off I notice a smoother idle. Also, when I'm cruising the transmission will shift funny, jerk, whatever.