Engine started over heating?

Engine Cooling problem
1996 Dodge Stratus Automatic 102000 miles

My Stratus has done this problem ONCE before, which my Dad fixed by replacing the thermostat. I'm not sure what it is. But here is as detailed as I can be about the problem [i'm not very car savvy]:

Starting from a cold engine, the temperature is up to the 2nd bar by the time I make it out my [only semi-long] driveway.
The car overheats gradually but very quickly, usually in the red with the light on after 5-10 minutes max.
It died on me right off of the freeway today, making true "beater car" noises. You know, that scary sounding "baRum"that old cars make.
ANY advice is much appreciated.

To start the process out on my own I'm going to check all fluids [like I guess I should have already] and see what I can deduce on my own.

Thanks in advance for any help!

The car has power and everything once it gets going, it just sounds disturbing and runs too hot. I'm not sure what you mean by ping though.
On a possibly unrelated side-note, the power on the dash goes out from time to time. I think the car may have some electrical problems that are underlying here :/

The car is now deceased. I drove it one day too many, and it blew a head gasket. There's a good chance the block is cracked too. $1700 to have it fixed, bought for $2200- so we're donating it to charity.

Lesson learned!

Thanks for the feedback though. If I'd been a bit more adamant in trying the things you guys suggested I might saved the car.

I'll be back! Think of it that way.

Ist problem - squeaking belts. I had ac/alterator belt and other main belt changed. My air would only work when I put freeon in. Got new radiator cap and air was working beautiful no need for more freeon. Then it started cutting out whiler I was driving. I was told it was O2 sensor. So I stopped running air. Still driving w/o problems. Then started running hot which it never did before. Coolant boiled over and spilled out. Now runs hot after only a few miles (5-10). Had a new water pump put in 4 1/2 yrs ago. Never had any major problems before. I am on disability with weekly medical treatments to get to and can NOT afford mechanic please help!

Hmac300; You were totally wrong! It was the water pump ($65 at O'Reily's) and $13 by-pass hose! And your compassion was overwhelming!
-savviegirl

About a week ago my Stratus began to run hot. Sometimes it reaches the point where it might overheat, but so far it hasn't done so. The temperature will spike and then go back down, so I believe the thermostat is working. However, it is still boiling coolant. The car will do this after driving even five miles. I'm very concerned, but I don't want to take it to a mechanic if I can avoid it (can't afford it unless I absolutely have to.)

Please help!

You were right, Zackman, it was the radiator cap. It had a small crack in the seal I couldn't see when I first inspected it. Total cost to fix the car: $30 (they put more antifreeze in the radiator as well.)
I also went ahead and replaced the thermostat as rasmataz said, just to be safe. Thanks for all your help, guys. I'll definitely be coming back here if I have any further problems, since chances are you've saved me a ton of money. :D

My '94 Dodge Stratus is overheating and is leaking oil. My husband thinks from the front and rear crank seals. How do we fix this ourselves?