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Hi,

My 1989 Toyota corolla has been making a hissing noise when I accelerate, that seems to be coming from behind me, and will not pick up speed when i'm driving up reasonably large hills, it has only done it twice over the past ~3months, both times on hills, and stops when i turn the car off and start it again. I'm just wondering if this sounds serious,whether i should be driving and if it is easily fixed?

Thanks

This sounds like it's exhaust related. Had the car been newer, I'd have suggested a catylitic convertor problem, but being an '89 Corolla, it won't be fitted with one.
The most likely problem would be a muffler that has collapsed internally. The baffles may have rusted or become dislodged inside the muffler, blocking exhaust flow and creating excessive back-pressure. When you turn the engine off, the dislodged parts settle, hence the problem goes away when you turn it off.
I'd suggest you run it in to an exhaust shop and get them to check out the muffler/exhaust system.