Moving to Houston
Discussion
Welcome (in advance)!
Nxcess are down on Highway 59, along with a few other dealers who specialise in top end cars. You won't get much in the way of customer service, and their turnover is very high as they specialise in selling online. The stock is always full of interesting stuff, and you will get a much better deal than going to the main dealer, which is probably not a problem if the warranty is still effective and is transferable.
Another one to look at is Expo Motro Cars, www.expomotorcars.com/
They are just down the road, and I suspect they may be lionked in some way.
What is it that you're after anyway?
Nxcess are down on Highway 59, along with a few other dealers who specialise in top end cars. You won't get much in the way of customer service, and their turnover is very high as they specialise in selling online. The stock is always full of interesting stuff, and you will get a much better deal than going to the main dealer, which is probably not a problem if the warranty is still effective and is transferable.
Another one to look at is Expo Motro Cars, www.expomotorcars.com/
They are just down the road, and I suspect they may be lionked in some way.
What is it that you're after anyway?
Thanks for the reply Will.
I know of Expo and have actually been in there and had a look round, they have some nice stuff in there too.
I'm looking for a Porsche again, but not sure what. I think I'm swaying towards another 996 turbo. That's whay I asked about Nxcess as they have about 5 or 6 in there at the moment.
And it's close by me I work for Fugro Chance just round the corner.
I know of Expo and have actually been in there and had a look round, they have some nice stuff in there too.
I'm looking for a Porsche again, but not sure what. I think I'm swaying towards another 996 turbo. That's whay I asked about Nxcess as they have about 5 or 6 in there at the moment.
And it's close by me I work for Fugro Chance just round the corner.
Hi Steve,
I have just moved to Houston from the UK and just bought a car this weekend (nothing that exciting - a Volvo XC90). My advice would be - wait until you see the state of the roads before deciding to get a sports car! If you need any advice at all about your move, just ask. I'm no expert on Houston just yet, but i am going through a lot of the stuff you will have to contend with. There are a number of prestige dealers around - an interesting one on Memorial Drive who have a Ferrari 512BB in which I am coveting hugely. There is a big Porsche specialist called Victory Motor cars who have a large stock of older Porkers. Also, another dealer of exotica on Westheimer close to the Galleria - I can't recall the name just now, I'll think on.
I had an amazing experience at the Volvo dealer on 59 yesterday - they have a test track out back and a veteran Porsche racer called Armando Trentini took me for a wild spin in the XC90 - amazing what a car like that can do in expert hands! Actually, it might prove to be an exciting vehicle after all!
Cheers,
Dave
I have just moved to Houston from the UK and just bought a car this weekend (nothing that exciting - a Volvo XC90). My advice would be - wait until you see the state of the roads before deciding to get a sports car! If you need any advice at all about your move, just ask. I'm no expert on Houston just yet, but i am going through a lot of the stuff you will have to contend with. There are a number of prestige dealers around - an interesting one on Memorial Drive who have a Ferrari 512BB in which I am coveting hugely. There is a big Porsche specialist called Victory Motor cars who have a large stock of older Porkers. Also, another dealer of exotica on Westheimer close to the Galleria - I can't recall the name just now, I'll think on.
I had an amazing experience at the Volvo dealer on 59 yesterday - they have a test track out back and a veteran Porsche racer called Armando Trentini took me for a wild spin in the XC90 - amazing what a car like that can do in expert hands! Actually, it might prove to be an exciting vehicle after all!
Cheers,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I know what you mean about the roads, I have worked in Houston for 5 years on a contract basis so know my way around town pretty well. The Porsche is just for fun, I'll be getting the obligatory pickup for the rest of the time, (Gun rack included)
And I hope car purchase won't be that hard, cos if it is then house purchase in the next few months is gonna be a nightmare.
Steve
I know what you mean about the roads, I have worked in Houston for 5 years on a contract basis so know my way around town pretty well. The Porsche is just for fun, I'll be getting the obligatory pickup for the rest of the time, (Gun rack included)
And I hope car purchase won't be that hard, cos if it is then house purchase in the next few months is gonna be a nightmare.
Steve
Oh just thought, looks like we are going to have enough people for a PHs meet in Houston soon, I know that there is a regular meet at the Richmond Arms on Richmond and Fountain View, not PHs, can't remember the night think it's Sundays but if you pop in they can tell you. They have some really nice machines of all types come along, it gets quite crowded.
www.victorymotorcars.com/
That is one of the places I was talking about.
Sounds like you know the place far better than me! House hunting has reached a dead stop for us, feeling a bit down about that. The shocking thing about car ownership is the cost of insurance - at least at first. You may already know this, but it seems to be around 3 times what it is in the UK... I have had a broker recommended who takes UK no claims into account (and so apparently do AIG), so I will post if I get a good deal with him.
Lucky guy, getting a TT! I need to get something worthy before I come along to any get togethers. Really not sure what I am going to get for my daily commute/fun. Victory have some 964s in price range... hmmm...
That is one of the places I was talking about.
Sounds like you know the place far better than me! House hunting has reached a dead stop for us, feeling a bit down about that. The shocking thing about car ownership is the cost of insurance - at least at first. You may already know this, but it seems to be around 3 times what it is in the UK... I have had a broker recommended who takes UK no claims into account (and so apparently do AIG), so I will post if I get a good deal with him.
Lucky guy, getting a TT! I need to get something worthy before I come along to any get togethers. Really not sure what I am going to get for my daily commute/fun. Victory have some 964s in price range... hmmm...
Know what you mean about insurance lol I've had tt quotes that vary by $4000
State Farm seem to be quite good in the Houston area though and gave me a very good quote provisionally.
I certainly wouldn't worry about turning up at the Richmond Arms in a sports car lots of people come along just to see what turns up.
And if you're into bikes a lot of custom choppers and Harleys hang out at Sam's Boat (Good Pub) just down the road on Sundays too.
And Victory do have some nice 964s you're right. I really like the black 965 3.6l turbo. It looks mint from the pictures :drool:
State Farm seem to be quite good in the Houston area though and gave me a very good quote provisionally.
I certainly wouldn't worry about turning up at the Richmond Arms in a sports car lots of people come along just to see what turns up.
And if you're into bikes a lot of custom choppers and Harleys hang out at Sam's Boat (Good Pub) just down the road on Sundays too.
And Victory do have some nice 964s you're right. I really like the black 965 3.6l turbo. It looks mint from the pictures :drool:
The gathering at the Richmond Arms takes place on the third Wednsday of each month and is refered to as the Toads Club. There is a web site for the Toads Club which tells what it is all about.
Great place to have a pint, grab some free food, and chat about cars and bikes. Occasionally some nice looking birds will flitter about as well.
With regards to insurance, I've got state Farm, I live inside the loop, and have two Lotus's. Have not found anyone with a better rate yet.
With that, a belated welcome to the neighborhood.
Al "phonse" B.
Great place to have a pint, grab some free food, and chat about cars and bikes. Occasionally some nice looking birds will flitter about as well.
With regards to insurance, I've got state Farm, I live inside the loop, and have two Lotus's. Have not found anyone with a better rate yet.
With that, a belated welcome to the neighborhood.
Al "phonse" B.
Hi'yall,
Didn't think you'd still be on PH Will, having sold out and gone all German
Has anyone seriously looked in to importing their cars from the UK? I've been waiting 3 months to get my Tuscan back after smashing it up and I get it next week. Then the following week I'll be back to Houston for 6 - 8 months. Argh.
How difficult can it be to import?
Didn't think you'd still be on PH Will, having sold out and gone all German
Has anyone seriously looked in to importing their cars from the UK? I've been waiting 3 months to get my Tuscan back after smashing it up and I get it next week. Then the following week I'll be back to Houston for 6 - 8 months. Argh.
How difficult can it be to import?
OK guys a quick question or two - a couple of you have moved to Houston - I am under pressure from my company to do this move permanantly - this means I have to take a US salary package which is on the table but doesn't match my current salary at current conversion rates - any ideas how to compare £'s to dollars and cost of living etc - I know current exchange rate's don't make the dollar look good - but in the US a dollar goes how far?
I'm not in Houston but I would say if your package is "close" you'll be ok, and you will end up with a slightly better standard of living.
Basically, the big things are cheaper here but they get you on the small things and utilities.
House buying is easy, 25% down, no doc loan best way to go.
Car buying, dealer financing is not a good deal but loan approval rate is pretty close to 100%. So dealer loan then go to your bank and refinance it. Worth doing because it ups your credit score as well. (you end up with a paid off loan on your record)
Basically, the big things are cheaper here but they get you on the small things and utilities.
House buying is easy, 25% down, no doc loan best way to go.
Car buying, dealer financing is not a good deal but loan approval rate is pretty close to 100%. So dealer loan then go to your bank and refinance it. Worth doing because it ups your credit score as well. (you end up with a paid off loan on your record)
I'd push for a straight conversion of your salary - wages over here are not any lower as far as I can tell, certainly in Oil & Gas, which given the slightly better cost of living is surprising. Having said that, the previous poster is quite right - you should be OK if you are close. Make sure any period of renting a property when you arrive is paid by the company - renting is expensive here. Don't believe the hype though, life isn't as hugely cheap here as we in the UK like to think! Things work a bit differently though. Dealer finance isn't cheap, but I found lease deals on new cars to be quite reasonable - and they work for me since I will probably only be here for three years.
Looking back through this thread - we should get that Houston PH meet sorted!
I haven't seen many Maserati's out here - mostly QP's when I have.
Looking back through this thread - we should get that Houston PH meet sorted!
I haven't seen many Maserati's out here - mostly QP's when I have.
Thanks for this guys - so in another question then I am being offered inexcess of 130k + bonus etc all achieavable stuff which shakes out about the same after tax etc, this is then a good /medium/cr4ppy deal and yes its Oil and Gas control systems. I see with houses (google is king!) you get more for your money there - small stuff ? you mean lights water etc ? what would I spend a month ?
Appreciated Guys Thanks Again
Appreciated Guys Thanks Again
Have a look on www.har.com for houses.
Bear in mind that property tax on the house will be just under 3% of house bvalue per year.
Most people rent apartments when they first arrive to get their bearings.
Check out www.apartmentfinder.com
Link to Houston:
//www.apartmentfinder.com/results.as
In terms of which area to live in, depends on what you want to be near, work location, family, etc.
Bear in mind that property tax on the house will be just under 3% of house bvalue per year.
Most people rent apartments when they first arrive to get their bearings.
Check out www.apartmentfinder.com
Link to Houston:
//www.apartmentfinder.com/results.as
In terms of which area to live in, depends on what you want to be near, work location, family, etc.
dttheliman said:
OK guys a quick question or two - a couple of you have moved to Houston - I am under pressure from my company to do this move permanantly - this means I have to take a US salary package which is on the table but doesn't match my current salary at current conversion rates - any ideas how to compare £'s to dollars and cost of living etc - I know current exchange rate's don't make the dollar look good - but in the US a dollar goes how far?
Are you sure you can't get an ex-pat deal? I've refused the idea of accepting USD so I am getting paid via Aberdeen so it stays on GBP. I'm day-rating scum anyway so I'd sell my granny's kidneys if I could find a buyer.
As for cars and loans and stuff - I thought you had to be long term to get one (I'm getting my loan from the UK)? Cars and houses are a lot cheaper but there are a lot of stealth taxes...
Hey my threads alive again.
Not sure about houses (although I am in the market for one now i'm here in Houston, but my company is paying for my rent and car rental until i'm sorted) and gonna buy my car cash with a very small loan attached just to actually have a loan for a few months then pay it off to help my credit.
BUT we should definitely have a Houston PH's meet, just let me get my car first. And there some great roads up to the Northwest of Houston heading towards Sommerville Lake for a drive out
I'm currently organising a pre purchase inspection for This car before making an offer to the owner.
Hopefully it will be in my possession soonest
Not sure about houses (although I am in the market for one now i'm here in Houston, but my company is paying for my rent and car rental until i'm sorted) and gonna buy my car cash with a very small loan attached just to actually have a loan for a few months then pay it off to help my credit.
BUT we should definitely have a Houston PH's meet, just let me get my car first. And there some great roads up to the Northwest of Houston heading towards Sommerville Lake for a drive out
I'm currently organising a pre purchase inspection for This car before making an offer to the owner.
Hopefully it will be in my possession soonest
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