My 1994 toyota camry 6 cylinder takes several tries to start, once started it idles very rough and vibrates bad. car will run in park or neutral but will stall when put in drive or reverse. no power to move if it stays running. gas pedal to floor and if it moves sounds very rough and maybe attain 5 mph before dying. replaced gas filter, catalytic converter is good. help?

Check the fuel pressure,if you have replaced the catylac converter,may be bad fuel pump,or bad fuel pressure regulator.

Did the car start this issue,while driving?

How do I check that.. sorry I'm a more of a know the basics kinda gal. Yes it did start it while driving

Has the timeing belt ever been replaced?Just a wild guess,running as you said,and if it started this while driving it,the timeing belt may have slipped and it is out of time.

We bought is as is for a low price, guy said it was fine. Turns out not so much. I don't know how to check that. Sorry I'm a layman

Don't know if it's related but previously when car ran all the while it was in 1st gear it lurched and shuddered really bad but after it shifted into 2nd was fine.

How do you know the Cat is good? just wonderin'