If you have the right tools, you can save quite a bit of money by serivicing the car yourself. A mechanic on average would usually charge between $60-100 just for labour to do a simple service.
In 2 hours and with about $50 you can replace the oil, air and fuel filters and fill up with decent quality 15w40 or 20w50 engine oil (depending on what condition the motor is) as well as replacing the spark plugs if it needs it.
It sounds like you have having an ignition problem, so best thing to do it work your way backwards, Starting from the cheapest solution, the Fuel filter. If it hasn't been changed in a while it's probably blocked and it'll run like crap and costing you fuel which means bad, spend $12 and 15mins to replace it. Then the spark plugs. It's a little bit tedious but replace them and see how it runs, If it's fixed, Thats only about $30 spent. Still running a bit rough. Then replace the leads, they usually cost about $50-80.
As for learning how to do it, no need for a workshop manual, Do a few search's in the tech sections,
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. or simply ask someone from a retail car store like Super Cheap Auto to show you.
They also have a DIY section on their website..
SuperCheap Auto :
Different car, same principle's apply.
