Billionaires can afford to spend lavishly on homes in multiple locations, private jets, vacations, and cars most of us can only dream about. In fact, Celebrity Net Worth is full of stories about expensive cars, mansions, and other material possessions purchased by wealthy people all over the world. Earlier this week we reported on the story of a rare 1967 convertible Ferrari 275 GTB N.A.R.T Spyder that was sold at auction for a stunning $27.5 million. The buyer turned out to be a Canadian fashion billionaire named Lawrence Stroll who already owns a fleet of exotic super cars.
On the other hand, there are some billionaires who take a much more modest approach to their vehicles. We find it very refreshing to know that there are billionaires who choose not to spend $400,000+ on a car that simply takes them from point A to point B. In fact, there are even some billionaires who drive RELATIVELY cheap cars. We say relatively because $120,000 for an Audi would be insanely expensive for the average person, but a drop in the bucket for someone worth $10+ billion. Perhaps this frugality is what made these people billionaires in the first place! Or, you could look at them as confident people who don't tie their self worth to the vehicle they drive. Here's a list of billionaires who drive *relatively* cheap cars:
10. Phil Knight – Net Worth: $14.1 billion
Car: Audi R8 – Cost: $120,000
Phil Knight is the chairman and co-founder of Nike, Inc and the 56th richest billionaire in the world. He is a humble rich man, who has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to different schools, including his undergraduate alma mater the University of Oregon. Knight could afford any car he wants, but he drives a $120,000 Audi R8. The Audi R8 goes from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and even though the $120,000 price tag would be a nice house for many Americans, it's still a relatively cheap option for Mr. Knight.
9. Michael Bloomberg – Net Worth: $27 billion
Car: Audi R8 – Cost: $120,000
Michael Bloomberg, the 108th mayor of New York is the 7th richest person in the United States and the 13th richest billionaire. He made his fortune in the financial data business, through his company Bloomberg, LP. He is a self-made billionaire. He also feels the need for speed with the Audi R8 for $120,000.
8. Michael Dell – Net Worth: $16 billion
Car: 2004 Porsche Boxster – Cost: $80,000 new
Michael Dell dropped out of college to pursue his vision of going into business for himself. He is the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell, Inc.; a company that grew out of a $1000 venture in repairing and manufacturing computers after Dell dropped out of college. Dell is the 21st richest person in the United States and the 49th richest billionaire. He drives a 2004 Porsche Boxster which was $80,000 new, but can now be purchased used for under $20,000.
7. Warren Buffet – Net Worth: $60 billion
Car: Cadillac DTS – Cost: $45,000
Warren Buffet is the 4th richest person in the world. He is the CEO, chairman and primary shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway. He is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century. Buffet drives a Cadillac DTS worth $45,000.
6. Francois-Henri Pinault – Net Worth: $15 billion
Car: Lexus SUV – Cost: $40,000
Francois-Henri Pinault is the CEO of French luxury goods company PPR. Pinault got $2 billion richer in 2012 thanks to the stock market success of his fashion conglomerate PPR. His group owns high-end fashion houses Gucci, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent. He is also married to actress Salma Hayek. He drives a Lexus SUV worth $40,000.
5. Laurene Powell Jobs – Net Worth: $9 billion
Car: Audi A5 – Cost: $40,000
Laurene Powell Jobs is the wife of the late Steve Jobs as well as the co-founder and President of the Board of College Track. She controls billions of dollars worth of stock in the Steven P. Jobs Trust. She drives a $40,000 Audi A5.
4. Alice Walton – Net Worth: $35 billion
Car: 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch – Cost: $40,000
Alice Walton is the daughter of Sam Walton and one of the heirs to the massive Wal-Mart fortune. Alice is the second richest woman in the world, behind her sister in law Christy. In the past, Alice Walton did favor a more extravagant car, the Porsche. But ever since she was in an accident, she has stayed away from luxury sports cars. She now drives a 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch pickup truck which cost just $40,000. This is the same car that Alice was driving back in 2011 when she was arrested for DUI. During the incident, the heiress screamed at the arresting officer "I'M ALICE WALTON, BITCH!"
3. Mark Zuckerberg – Net Worth: $17 billion
Car: Acura TSX – Cost: $30,000
Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, is one of the world's youngest billionaires. Never one to flaunt his wealth, Zuckerberg drives a very modest car, a $30,000 Acura TSX.
2. Steve Ballmer – Net Worth: $15.2 billion
Car: Ford Fusion Hybrid – Cost: $19,000
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is one of the richest men in the world. He could easily own a fleet of Bugattis. He is the 22nd richest person in the U.S. and the 51st richest billionaire. He drives an incredibly modest car—a Ford Fusion Hybrid, which sells for $19,000. To be fair, he is mainly driving the Ford Fusion as a publicity stunt to promote Microsoft's Sync navigation system that comes standard with the car.
1. Ingvar Kamprad – Net Worth: $53 billion
Car: vintage Volvo 240 – Cost: $1,500
IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprand is truly the most modest and humble billionaire on this list, if not in the world. Despite his enormous wealth, Kampard flies coach and drives a vintage Volvo 240, which only cost $1,500. And if that's not crazy enough, he actually prefers to take the bus whenever possible!
