Don't buy a used Cox Panoramic modem\router
 

If anyone does not currently have their own Cox modem\router and decides to get Cox in the future, it doesn't seem like there is any way to save money.
I bought a Motorola modem\router, but the wifi didn't work.
I bought a used Cox Panoramic modem\router, couldn't get it to work, and Cox said they will not let me use someone else's modem\router, so if you want Cox, you need to rent the modem\router forever.

I don't have experience with Cox, but combo devices are where everyone goes wrong.

Get a quality router, and then get a quality cable modem. I purchase the router when there's a good discount on a new one, and always buy used modems.

Don't bother getting a faster modem than you need, or you'll just pay more and it will consume more power. I had a DOCSIS 3.0 (Arris SB6141) that only consumes 5 watts, never needed rebooting, and is good for up to 1gbps. For my router, I bought the
Asus RTAX86U. I never reboot either.

These older but still excellent modems can be had for $10 (I mailed mine to someone on another forum)

Upgrade the components independently, as needed.

They cant force you to use their hardware. They will make it difficult. You also cant convince me that their costs are close to the Franklin a month they charge me for lousy service.

Switch if you have any alternative. If you are 'unloyal', they will give you the best price. "Thank you for being a loyal customer since 1997" is code for thanks for being a sucker that has made the executive management fabulously wealthy.

The cost per additional customer is practically nothing. Once the sunk cost of the infrastructure is covered, each additional customer is nearly pure profit.

OP throws some red meat and skedaddles?

Busy with grad school, and probably the babes. Maybe the babes more than the learning. Though I always loathed and had contempt for the institutions of education, at an embarrassingly late hour I figured out the most value was the concentration of eligible 'scholars'. I'm not the womanizing type, but I do understand the power of numbers when shopping.

Perhaps the new babe will be impressed by the big new laptop and accumulated Toyota products?