mazda 626

[pipes94xj]

i gotta get going to work....but real quick, my brother has a 96 mazda 626 and the last 2 days after about 2-3 miles of driving it overheats like mad. i mean the temp gauge goes up like my shorts when i see jessica alba. and it obviously starts losing power...
he's short on cash and it burns 2 quarts every week. i told him to get rid of it now! but any guesses? it needs a flush real bad...but other than that my guess was maybe thermostat?

thanks guys...ill be back at lunch to read ur answers! =)

[RedHeep]

Couple things come to mind.
Check servicing, low coolant could be an easy but simple fix.
Is it burning oil or leaking oil? Burning is an issue, leaks can be found and fixed. My old mazda loved leaking oil from the valve cover gasket.
Thermostats are cheap, get one and change it, make sure you service the coolant properly.