I drive a 1989 lesabre. I bought the car about a year ago and six months after the purchase the car has made a complete turn around. The previous owners told me the car had been sitting up for a while and all it needed was a new steering column. So I found a steering column and the car was running great I had no problems out of the car until I took it out of town for the first time. First problem was the water pump so I changed that then the air stopped working now it has completely gone mad. It shakes and makes a noise that sounds like cans under the hood. Also it won't go over 45mph if I try to push it, It shakes harder as if its going to kill. The most recent issue is that I have to put it in neutral to start it and another thing is that after I've parked the car there is a strong smell of exhaust. Someone plz help me. I really love this car its my first but would it be wise for me to just let it go.

the start nuetral is the park switch, im not sure where that is on that though. the dieing and smell kinda sounds like a bad cat. you have a check engine light?

No check engine...if it is a bad cat would that also cause the shaking and the noise

if its bad enough. obd1 cars are hard to trouble shoot without a code. i would check fuel pressure while driving and see if it goes down while you are having issues. also try to narrow it down by putting the trans in neutral see if the shaking is more engine related or trans. its especially hard to tell over the internet.