some problems w/2000 sportage 4x4

Ok any replies, remember I'm a female so try to explain in simple vehicle terms::

I have a 2000 sportage 4x4 and I have trouble getting it to start sometimes. I can flick the key back and forth, pump the gas, turn the air off, and sometimes that will help it start. It also doesn't have that much power to it and when you put the gas pedal to the floor it is just slow.

Also today the hold light showed up on the dash and I can't get it to go off and my car won't get over 20 mph roughly. There are no kia dealerships close to me and I don't want to have to spend a lot of money getting it fixed b/c I have a 10 month old daughter. I don't know what could be wrong with it.

I've been reading and noticed a lot of people having problems, please help!

Is the "Hold" light solid on or is it flashing off and on? I would assume since you can't turn it off then it is flashing off and on. If that is the case then the yellow "check engine" light should be on too.

If I make those assumptions then a good starting point in diagnosing your problem is to have the error codes readout from the engine computer. These error codes can help to pin point exactly what is wrong. If you have an Autozone close by they will perform a diagnostic check for free. They will plug a scan tool into the diagnostic port under the dash and readout the trouble codes. The codes will be formatted PXXXX, where XXXX will be a series of numbers. Get ALL the codes that are readout and post them here. We can then provide possible fixes.