Just for kicks, I'd like some random opinions. My mom has a 1986 Chevy Cavalier. The car starts, smokes a little, and will only go about five miles per hour. What is wrong with it!!
It has recent plugs and all that jazz.. Help me solve this!

Need more info on how the car reacts to the gas pedal being depressed. What does it do when you try to go over 5mph? Does it sputter? What kind of noises does it make if any?

Shoving the pedal down doesn't do much. Rpms don't jump much either. It sputters a little, it's like there's something clogged up. She put a brain in it also.

Sounds like a fuel pump problem to me. I assume the fuel filter has been checked also? Although, a clogged fuel filter would happen gradually over time... unless there was foul play.

As I recall, mom did change fuel filters.... not sure if she changed them "all" as in, not sure if this car has the one at the back near the tank. However, I am going to mention to mom that the fuel pump and filters could stand a looking at.... well, will mention this as to be a Spring 2008 project... Thanks, will let ya know more later.

It's a Cavalier, need I say more lol? I'm just playing, their pretty decent cars. My wife has a '96 and it has about 160,000 miles and still runs strong.

what type of engine does it have in it? judging by the year i would say the 4 cylinder? if so try getting the fuel system cleaned. seaform works pretty good, its what i put in my car.

I'm thinking clogged fuel injectors or possibly the cat could have melted due to a misfire and plugged it up based on this information

another idea of a problem you could have, knowing Cavaliers and the 4 cylinder. the head gasket is KNOWN for leaking at the rear right corner of the engine, causing coolant to leak into the cylinder, causing misfires.