i have a 97 civic hx automatic it is idling up and down in drive, and sputters when im driving, it also shifts into gear really hard when im starting from a stop. i changed the distributer, wires plugs checked the timingand changed the upper 02 sensor the code says theres a misfire im fairly novice will somebody please point me in the right direction without spending a ton

Check for a vacuum leak in some of the hoses. Also it you might need to adjust the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve, you just have to turn a screw somewhere to adjust it.