Just purchased this vehicle on Craigslist less than 2 weeks ago feeling confident after my mechanic checked it out and (basically) approving.

Today the car started right up, but did not idle at the typical high-idle speed required to warm the engine to normal operating temps. After less than 2 minutes waiting for it to "warm" I put the car into drive and headed out on my errands. Less than .25 mi waiting for a stoplight, the engines RPM's revved up past 2 and I felt the car surged forward. Had I not had my foot on the brake, I surely would have went through the intersection. This happened again at the stop sign where I put the car into neutral and waited for the engine to settle.

Feeling anxious, I pulled onto a side street, parked and turned the engine OFF. "Rebooted" 30 seconds later and watched it stall. Started it again and it seemed to drive OK but highway speeds felt like more effort than it should have required of my gas pedal.

Upon reaching my destination, I watched the thermostat climb higher than the usual 1/2 way mark and hover still under the H until I accelerated out of the lowest gear.

I am stumped, and will have my mechanic check it out tomorrow.