Thank you so much!! A friend suggested it was the timing...which is MUCH more expensive and we cannot replace ourselves ( I dont think anyway...) I had a '98 neon prior which sent me to the coals several several times, I think I replaced the head gasket 3 times and I just had horrible horrible flashbacks when this happened. We've already paid for towing and all that jazz, and I just don't know about the local car repair shop...
I thank you for your quick reply!!