Today is the first time this has happened.

When I'm starting up the car, I usually hear some quick start up noises (the spark plugs firing i'm guessing) and the car is idling with no trouble.
But today, it sounded like it was struggling, and sounded sluggish, like the noises were slowed to half speed. The car eventually starts up but i'm worrying soon it's not going to be able to. it sounds like it's about to die or something but so far on four startups it's OK.... hope this makes sense.

any help? thanks.

 

Bring it to your local Auto Parts Chain store. (ex. AutoZone, Advance Auto, VIP.) they will test your Battery, Altenator for free. Sounds to me either electrical or fuel related. Have you changed your fuel filter? Checked your fuses? Cleaned the TB and IACV? Changed spark plugs? In simple terms when was the last time you gave you Max a good tune-up?

 

I had the same problem, but mine was worse because I had to pump gas while it started or it would die. All I did was clean the throttle body with carberator cleaner and now im back in business, starts up perfectly. I think it's on one of the sticky's on here. I forgot which one though, you kinda have to search for it. If that doesn't fix it then I suggest doing one of the other things Trajiksmax said above

 

hm.. well i changed the spark plugs maybe 1-2 years ago, not that long. Fuel filter was changed about a year ago. I've never done any cleaning or whatnot and i don't think i know how anyways, especially since i have school right now.

It doesn't sound like the starter or anything?

 

ok today I found out my battery is dead.

The lights are very dim and there's like no juice when i turn the key, barely any crank.
so my friend jumped it and left it running for 5 minutes and it works. Maybe 30 minutes later it the power's dead again.

I didn't leave the headlights or anything on so i dunno why the battery died like overnight... could it be like an alternator problem?

 

how old is the battery? the batteries only last about 3 years. As mentioned by others take it to autozone or checkers and they will test your battery for free