someone help my grocery getter

hey i own a 89 ford escort wagon, has about 160k on it, the other day i was driving and the car just slowed right down. if i gave it gas it would almost stall. now whenever i start it up it sounds real loud and when i do it give it gas it doesnt seem to be getting much power i have to switch from 1st to 2 or it will stall, and the same from 2nd to 3rd or it'ss stall any ideas?

Cheers

Does the engine rev and you stand still or does the car refuse to rev up and just won't go? If the engine rev's and you sit still you have a problem with your transmission. If the engine runs but won't rev up then you probably have a problem with the catalytic converter.