Help from the Dallas crew
 

Hi guys,

I mentioned some time ago that my youngest son was going to be living in Plano for the next 20 months from the end of this July.

He just sent me a list of potential apartments for him and a friend of his who's also been accepted to the same SMU post-graduate program.

I'm attaching the list he just sent me so I can start asking questions about everything he may need.

I'll start the questions with the following:

1) They're going to be attending a department of SMU by the name of "Guildhall" located in Plano. I'm I correct to assume they'll be needing to buy a used car for transportation?

2) What would be the right price for a 2 bedroom apartment in that area?

3) Does anyone have a suggestion about a particular place?

Many thanks

You might also register and ask on dfwmiata.com

Chris

Cool; I didn't even know that board existed!

Plano is pretty nice. There are a few old sections that could be hairy. But for the most part, It is nice.

Plano is Northern DFW, the main worry is not getting hit by a BMW yuppie. LOL He should like it there.

I don't know since the eco. dropped. But it used to range from $620-$900 a month. Sometimes you can get a better deal. And some prices are greater.

He needs to phsically see and walk in every apt, and try to work the deals out. Sometimes you have a nice apt in a bad neihborhood. Although....... plano is usually better than Dallas.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Todd.

I already told him to get in touch with you as soon as he gets there.

As I told you before; you may call him a "geek" but not a "yuppie". No place for yuppies and BMWs at my home :giggle:

He's going to need help finding some old car when he gets there. I have to pm you all the info since he'll be needing your phone number.

Also, it's normally better to not use an apartment locating service. People on their own normally get a better deal (sometimes haggling is required) b/c the apartments don't have to pay the commission to the broker.

Craigslist is your friend for cheap cars.

Chris

Thanks Chris :bigtu:

2 very good suggestions. I hadn't even thought about Craiglist!

BTW, do you guys know of a good hotel he can use for the first couple of days while he starts his search?

And another question: he's 24. Will he face problems renting a car for a week due to his age?

Avis will rent to folks his age. Hertz requires that the renter be 25. Not sure about other rental companies.

There are a ton of hotels in & around the Plano area from the basic Motel 6 up to nice Wyndham & Westin hotels. Just a matter of picking, really.

So the time for my son to go to Plano is fast approaching.

He already signed the apt. lease and got a rental car for the first week of stay.

Now I need additional assistance:

He needs to buy a car for his 21 month stay there. We've budgeted $2,500 to buy one. I originally suggested a Miata but he said it wouldn't be practical, so he's looking for a 4 door compact car or midsize car. He has been checking Craiglist but so far hasn't found anything.

I need suggestions about the car and what type of insurance coverage he should get.

I also need advice about what would be the best option for a cellphone. Which telecommunication company would be best?

Many thanks

For a 21-month stay as a student, a Miata is plenty practical. Now if this is to be a shared vehicle between roomies, not so much.
Your son needs to check craigslist more often. There are LOTS of local vehicles around $2500 on a consistent basis.

An old Civic or Accord is often a good bet for a used car that'll be fairly reliable even at high miles. Insurance? Might want to check with the big places like Geico, Progressive, et al. just for quotes. For a cheap ride, you/he might consider liability only. This will certainly depend on what level of coverage is comfortable for the drivers in question.

hustler's cat used to be in plano.

Not good. :giggle:

Many thanks juxt3r! He's more of geek than I car guy and even though he's going to be sharing the car with a roommate; the other guy doesn't drive. :bigtu:

Any suggestions on celphone service?

plano has some ghetto shit in it, but its a decent town. Lots of nanner around there too.


fyi: the cat's ashes reside in Plano. Rafa, let me know if your kid prepares on offering for the kitter.

shit hustler; the more I read your stuff the more you resemble magna! :giggle:

WTF is nanner?

And my "kid" is 24 lol. BTW; you should assist him in getting to know chicks. Too much of a geek so far.

Well, considering the length of time in question, a basic pay-as-you-go setup might be worthwhile; at&t go-phone for example. Most basic, first-time setups I've seen require a 2-year contract to get any kind of decent rate.

Thanks for the tip. He might as well take out a 2 year contract. He won't be coming back after that. Plus, it would only mean he would have to pay for 3 extra months.

BTW, thanks Jeff for the nanner explanation.

why does he need a pay as you go. Long distances really doesn't matter anymore and he can take his number with him where ever he moves. Just get a decent plan with the provider he wants.

Hey guys; I've got another question: what are the consequences of buying a car with a "salvage" title?

Thanks

What dollar value? Big difference between a $2000 salvage car and a $10,000 salvage car.

In a nutshell, many people won't buy them at all. Trade values are going to be half of book, so you need to buy for half of book to protect yourself.

Also, if you are planning on full coverage for the vehicle, some insurance companies won't want to insure a salvage car as their potential payout is higher than value so they just pass.

So, if you are looking for a sub-$3000 car that will have liability only, I'd do it.

We bought my wife's 03 Protege in 04 with 24K on it. It had a salvage title but I inspected the car and talked with the shop owner that did the work and was happy with the car. It was a $13,000 book car at the time. We paid $6,400 for it and just put liability on it. It has 101,000 on it now and has had a set of tires and oil changes. That's it. It's been a great car for her. So, it can work out.