Yes, but did you check these things to make sure they were operating properly? Just because you have a stock thermostate doesn't mean it wont break. Same for the temp gauge. I've seen my share if gauges that will only register half way. That's how my overheating Legend went unoticed until it strated stumbling when i pulled up to make a stop.

Another thing to check is go squeeze the radiator hoses and listen for a cracking noise(when the hoses are cool and do it with your hand).....you can feel it too. If you get that then you have a seriously dirty cooling system. The chances that you had a piece or a few peices of corrosion work its way to the thermostate or into the water pump is worth looking into.



Answering these question would help to pinpoint the problem....Will the car be running but seem low on power? Or will you pull to a stop and the engine seems to want to shut off? Or does it run fine until you shut it off, and then that's when it decides to not crank up?<-----Its important to know which one of these it is. If its one or both of the first two, then read below. If its the third one then i have no suggestions.