Engine misfires? Please ADVISE?

My husband is giving me a car (1997 Ford Taurus) he purchased at auction. I'm responsible for the repairs that need to be made. A misfire (code P0301) will cost $400 to fix. All told, I would be spending roughly $800 to get the car on the road. Is it worth it? I know that s not a lot of money for a car but it is a lot of money to me and I just want to be sure it doesn't break down the minute I spend my money on it.

Also, a tune up costs about the same as repairing the misfire. Would getting a tune up fix the problem?

Car starts but won't drive? Why? - 1

Car starts but won't drive? Why?
I have a 2003 Ford Taurus its at about 180,000 miles. Ran just fine until today. I was driving with no problems when I came to a stoplight. When the light turned green I pressed on the gas and the RPM meter flew past 4 and stayed there. I barely made it pass the intersection, my car would no longer accelerate. I image you have to press hard for the RPM to go that high. And I definitely wasn't pressing hard. Please I'm in need of advice & feedback!

Car starts but won't drive? Why?

I have a 2003 Ford Taurus its at about 180,000 miles. Ran just fine until today. I was driving with no problems when I came to a stoplight. When the light turned green I pressed on the gas and the RPM meter flew past 4 and stayed there. I barely made it pass the intersection, my car would no longer accelerate. I image you have to press hard for the RPM to go that high. And I definitely wasn't pressing hard. Please I'm in need of advice & feedback!

My car won't start with a new battery? - 1

I recently purchased a 2002 ford Taurus in September. A few days after getting the car it wouldn't start so I replaced the battery and it has been running fine for the past month and a half. Today I as I left work I turned on the car but as soon as I flipped the headlights on the whole thing died. We were able to get it started again with jumper cables and I made it home. I tried cranking it again once I was home and it was drained again. The battery is brand new and when I had it replaced the autozone guys checked my alternator and said it was running fine. The belt in the car is needing to be replaced could that have anything to do with the alternator not charging? If not what else could it be?

My car won't start with a new battery?

My car won't start with a new battery?

Added (1). I recently purchased a 2002 ford Taurus in September. A few days after getting the car it wouldn't start so I replaced the battery and it has been running fine for the past month and a half. Today I as I left work I turned on the car but as soon as I turned the headlights on the whole thing died. When I had it replaced the autozone guys checked my alternator and said it was running fine. The belt in the car is needing to be replaced could that have anything to do with the alternator not charging

How to fix a leaky rack and pinions without replacing it?

I have a 96 Ford Taurus GL the rack and pinion is leaking fluid I don't have the money to replace the rack and pinion so where would the leak possibly be coming from and is it possible to fix it without replacing the rack and pinion