What's wrog with my bug?

[sleepyindian]

I'm an older single woman and before I get ripped off by a mechanic who "sees me coming", maybe someone out there can give me a little direction. My 2003 WV just started to "race" likes it's going 30 miles an hour when I start it. The tachometer jumps to around 3 then after a minute or so goes back down to 1 and car stops 'racing'. A few times it acted like she didn't want to start, but did. Can anyone help? Thank you in advance, very much! Kathy S.