Sounds like the car needs to be checked out professionally if you are not confident...brakes are the most important part (with tyres!).
Have you checked the tyre pressure and had a "look" around? Is the brake fluid level OK? Is there any signs of leaking?
How does the pedal "feel"? Can you get somebody to press it down whilst you look at the front brakes? Do all the pistons seem to move.
Does the hand brake work?
With the car in neutral (and on level ground) and the handbrake off can you move it with no audiable drag from the brakes? Better still can you safely jack up and rotate each wheel - better still have somebody operate the brake pedal at the same time?
Sorry to ask more questions that I have answered...does sound like something sticking to me.
