GREAT place to start is Spark plugs and wires, chances are your origionals are still in there. Get some motorcraft or Autolite (I personally suggest motorcraft) and replace those plugs and wires. As for your hard idle, Its very likely your IAC valve, I have found that when the IAC is getting sticky its worse in a contour with an ATX(automatic) then it is for the cars with the MTX(5 speed manual). the IAC is called the Idle air controller valve, its very common for a contour IAC valve to start to get sticky at around 100K miles, sometimes earlier.
