Q&A

This engine is a Toyota so parts should be easy to get. Is the car difficult to start? When an engine is "cold" fuel does not atomize well and demands on the ignition system is high. If the ignition system is weak it will act up on cold starting and on acceleration when demand on the ignition system are high. With the engine running, vehicle in park and the hand brake applied, spray water from a household spray bottle (like a Windex/ Windowline bottle) on ignition system components. If ignition insulation has broken down (on the spark plug wires ignition coil or distributor cap) the spark will take the easiest path to ground (via the water as water is a good conductor of electricity). I have seen the spark plug wires "short out" at or near the tip of the spark plug end of the wire, the plastic insulator fails. I have seen a lot of ignition coil failure and it is probably worth wile removing the distributor cap and rotor to visually inspect. (inspect distributor cap carbon brush). If its not ignition related when was the last time the fuel filter replaced ( a little difficult to replace on your car). Too many things it could be with out actually seeing the car.

Check your air filter. I know someone who had the original one in there car after 130,000 miles and this took care of the problem 100% The problem with this car no maintenance is needed for 150,000 miles so it could be almost anything small. Worth spending some money...the car is a keeper!!!

Your catalytic converter could be plugged up - preventing sufficient exhaust from getting out the tailpipe. This would cause this. Connect a vacuum guage to the intake manifold - make sure you're getting a reading - then hold the RPMs to 3000 and see if the vacuum starts dropping steadily over half the scale of the gauge. If it does, that's a sign of a clogged catalytic converter as well.

Did you figure this out? I have the exact same problem on my 1995 toyota corolla.