Okay. Your temp gauge shows the engine is not warming up. Okay.

So why have you not replaced the thermostat yet? It's a simple job, all you need is a 10mm (or 12?) wrench or socket some coolant, the thermostat and gasket. The thermostat with gasket is about $10. Wham bam thank you ma'am. Just make sure the engine is stone cold when you do this. Even if you pay someone to do this, I can't imagine it's an expensive job.

So let's say you actually believe your t-stat is okay. That's an assumption you're entitled to make. At this point I'd ask why you haven't taken it to a mechanic (or someone else with an infra red termometer) and have them check to see if your car is indeed not warmed up. Then if your car really isn't running too cool you'd want to go replace the temp gauge sender and probably the ECU's temp sender.

How's your fuel mileage? If the engine isn't warming up properly you would see poor fuel consumption.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo | ~144.9k miles