Strange Behavior from my Escort

I have a 97 ford escort. Lately it doesnt want to go. I push on the gas and it accelerates very slowly. This used to happen only if the car was cold, you know if I didnt warm it up before driving it. Now it seems to happen more frequently. Also when I stop at a stop sign then go it acts like it didnt downshift when I stopped and it kinda slips into first gear.

Im concerned that I may have a serious transmission problem brewing and I know how expensive that is to fix. The engine seems louder than usual also and it idles really high when I first start it, however subsequent starts it idles normally.The high idle is only when I start it when it has not been driven yet for the day.

Anyone have any thoughts on what the problem may be?

There is also a squeak coming from the front drivers side tire which I suspect is the brakes.

Any advice is appreciated. I can not really afford a mechanic at the moment.

Psy

How many miles on it? On my 97 the timing belt slipped a notch causing the valve timing to be slow. It would accelerate really slow and make noise but wouldn't go anyplace. The service interval for the 97 timing belt is 120k. If you are close to that or over, I would suggest replacing the timng belt and lining up the timing marks again at that time.

There is a wear tab on the brake pads that squeaks against the rotor when the pads are just about worn out.

it has about 300k miles on it. I have only had it since august and have no idea when the timing belt was actually changed. I will have to try anf find out or just bring it to my mechanic. I figure the front end noise are the brakes needing replaced. I will probably have that done some time this week. The acceleration thing is what has me more concerned. Thanks.

The timing belt is a good possibility but I would also check for a blocked cat. Since you state the car accelerates slowly it may be choked off due to the cat being blocked and that will limit acceleration.

Make sure your spark plug wires are connected well... you could be running on 3 cyls. Since you just got it, perhaps it is in need of new plugs and wires? Check them out.

I had an acceleration issue once and it turned out that #4 had somehow come loose.