pontiac sunfire problem shooting

pontiac sunfire starts only with pressing the gas down and also has a ticking sound in the engine as well as the oil seems low and dark no matter when I fill it which leads me to believe it is an oil leak also the car has high rpms before it switches gears.

The ticking sound and low oil level are probably related. Stop running the engine until you can maintain a proper oil level, or you may be car shopping.

Does the accelerator have to be depressed fully to start the engine or only partially depressed?

Does it have a leak that you see under the car? As for the hard starting sounds like it could be an idle air control. Unless like the previous question and you have to put the kettle to the floor then you are most likely getting too much fuel at start up.

What year is this? Mileage?

IAC problem?

Leaking f/p regulator?

How often are you adding oil? One quart in under 2000 miles?

the oil seems low and dark no matter when I fill it .....the oil looks dark and low after an oil change?