Stupid Saturn.

Hello,

I have a 1998 Saturn SL1 with 101,500 miles on it. I have only had it since 69,000 miles, that's been about 2 years. It seems like since I reached about 99,000 miles, the car has been nothing but problems. I drive a lot, about 60 miles a day or more, but I don't think it shouldn't be having this many problems.

A couple months ago my car was squealing and sputtering, and I took it in for diagnostics and they found that cylinder 2 was misfiring. Also the serpentine belt tightener had come loose and was rubbing against the belt. They fixed those things and did a LOF. 2 weeks ago, my car got broken into. (The only one on the lot -- why a Saturn and not the PT Cruiser or F150s right next to me? Why not even the Civic?) Driver's rear vent window smashed, stereo stolen, stereo housing broken and antenna adapter stolen. I've fixed the window, I'm still working on getting another CD player. And not even a week ago, I noticed a knocking noise when I brake. It hits with each rotation of the tires, and only on the front driver's side tire. I haven't had time to get the car to the shop, and the knocking noise hasn't seemed to change or impair driving at all.

And now this morning... The car doesn't want to stay running after I brake. I braked like normal to turn a corner slowly on a slippery road, and as soon as I turned the car shut off. The engine just shut off, and the battery and oil lights came on. I waited a few seconds, turned the car off, and then back on. It was fine. About 5 minutes later I turned another corner slowly and the car did the same thing. I turned it off, waited, turned it back on. The RPM shot up to almost 3, then went down to just over 1 (in park). Same thing happened three more times in a 5 mile drive.

I know the best thing to do would be to take it back to the mechanic (who I trust, they're BBB certified and AAA members), but it's an early Satur(n)day morning and they won't be open until Monday. Needless to say, I have to do a lot of driving before Monday. Does anybody have any suggestions what to look for under the hood or what to do for the time being? Other than...don't drive?

Thank you,
-Lindsay