Replace Water Pump? (PICS)

The question is always how bad is the leak... Because you're new to this particular car, I'd first give it a really good cleaning and check all the bolts to ensure they're sufficiently tight. Then keep an eye on it every day or so and see how long it takes to return. Hopefully it never looks bad again. If I were you I'd wait to fix it until it gets to the point you have to add coolant because it keeps running low.

In general having a really clean engine compartment that you get good at regularly cleaning is a solid strategy for noticing and fixing problems before they get expensive.

 

It actually looks like it is coming from the thermostat.

But simple monitoring is best for now .

 

Agree. If you recall my 2010, when changing the t-stat, I spent some extra time trying smooth the pitting on the mating surface. It seems in the real road salt states, the corrosion can work it's way along the mating surface and right past where the t-stat gasket sits. I was wary of this afterward and it never leaked before the car's demise, but I was almost expecting it too...

For sure agree again, let that sleeping dog lie. Fair chance it's "corrected" itself, even.

Good catch, Borninblue.