Hi

My '95 1.6L Geo Prizm has engine trouble: when I try to start the
engine, it turns over, kind of whimpers and dies.

This started in a supermarket parking lot away from my house, so I
called AAA. While I was waiting for them, I managed to start the
engine, drove a few blocks, and the engine SLOWLY died again and
wouldn't start.

I had the car towed to a mechanic, who should inspect it eventually.

A possibly important detail: I had the alternator and some fuses
replaced 3 weeks ago by the same shop.

Does this look like I wasn't paying enough attention to the oil level
(I think it was low). The engine temperature sensor never showed
anything abnormal, so I didn't worry too much.

I spotted a rat inside my car recently though [1].

I'm worried about getting ripped off by the mechanic, as usual - I
don't know any that I can trust. So any advice related to that or the
likely cause of my car's condition would be appreciated.

Thanks

[1] Funny story actually, happened a couple of weeks ago: I'm at a gas
station, having driven about 0.5 from my house. I pop the hood to
check the oil (I suspected it might be low), and there is this rat
sitting on the engine. I had to actually poke the rat with the oil
stick to make it run away. It must have been in shock or something. I
didn't notice any chewed wires though.