Around town I normally find the power output of my 1.6 8v sufficient. This weekend I was going to a wheeling outing and was on a 2 lane road. The vehicle in front of me was going 10 miles under the limit but I was afraid to pass him because I didn't think there would be enough power to safely get out and pass. My Tracker is an automatic. Do you guys pass other vehicles? I know Wild does, but that doesn't count.
Passing vehicles can be exceptionally painful...  Oh wait, I'm reading that wrong.
The dreaded automotive "slows" can sneak up on you very, well very slowly.  Sorta like old age.
Start with a tune-up.  New plugs, new rotor, etc.  Check the vacuum lines (My bet is that you have a Throttle body).  Check the cylinder compression.  Check the PCV valve, the exhaust system, electrical grounds, the timing, etc.
My '88 with a 1.6 8-valve can keep up with the traffic and pass folks (when done with common sense).  It ain't a Corvette or a GT-40, but it isn't a Yugo, either.