Paul, Jim, and Bo,

Thank you all for your experience and your comments. I will acknowledge that I've read your replies and will try to reply to the thread.
I've owned the car now for a month and starting to know it better. Paul is right about the water temp. rising pretty quickly on this car. But, I have now found that the aux. fan kicks on at 105 like you Jim said and keeps the water temp. at about 100. (These days the weather is much cooler in Conn. where I live and the water temp. seems to be around 90. I don't know if the outside temp. makes any difference....)
I've changed to a different mechanic, as suggested. The new guy says he can make the engine fan stay on all the time by adjusting the fan clutch (?) and it will help bring the water temp. down to around 70 or 80. I haven't asked him to do it. What you all think? Is it advisable to do this?
One more thing: I am getting a very brief high-pitched whistling sound in first gear as I let out the clutch. The noise is not prolonged and does not happen in any other gear. Is this something serious and should be checked right away?

Thanks,
YF Yin