What's wrong with my car?

I drive a 90 Ford Escort LX hatchback. In a matter of three days time, I will be driving it 900 miles but first I must get it fixed. I would like to know what is wrong so I can have an idea about how much I will have to shell out.

Here's what I've got going:

It idles fairly prominantly when my foot is not on the gas or brake.

It sometimes dies when I put it in reverse.

Shifting is very rough and it sounds like there is a clunking or rattiling noise from 2nd-3rd gear.

It sometimes sounds like it is gasping (O2 sensor?)



These might just be symptoms of driving a domestic car but If it sounds like anything you've heard of i'd appreciate it!! -Bobby

It's not that you're driving a domestic car, it's that you're driving a 14 year old Escort.

If it hasn't had a full tuneup in a while, do that first.

Oil change
Oil/air filter change
Spark plugs
Plug wires
Distributor cap & rotor
O2 Sensor
Check/adjust timing
Check/adjust idle speed
If it's an automatic, change the tranny fluid and filter also.

If it is auto, check to make sure that any/all vaccuum lines going to the trans are all hooked up and operating properly. (Sorry that's all i've got for this)
Jake