I went to get my car smogged and the guy there said it sounds like my starter is going bad. It starts fine but the engine makes a "wind blowing exhausted" sound while starting up. I thought it was normal with the car since ive had it for a year and never really noticed sitting in the car.

Then yesterday i was in a parking lot and when i put the key in the ignition it delayed a split second before starting. Dont know if its the starter solenoid or if i'm being paranoid now?

 

Common problem for the 96-01's. Look around in the 5th gen forums and you'll find the how-to on how to pull the starter and re-lube it. The friction keeps the solenoid from disengaging the flywheel.

 

New starters are not expensive. I would just repalce it.