Low-profile rides for high-flyers

[JPFS1]

I find this extremely interesting that people in this position don't splurge more than they do. Maybe it is where they came from and did the hard yards that they are like this? Interesting Psychology behind this.

It's particularly close to home for me because this is accurate behaviour/trait for people that i am extremely close with, and i have a part in the whole scheme of things (i don't think i would be as conservative though when the time comes and is right). Income of 7 digits, value of 8 digits, and drives a nissan maxima

Low-profile rides for high-flyers

Richard Blackburn, drive.com.au, 29/09/06

The world's richest people don't squander their fortunes on flash cars, according to US magazine Forbes.

Bill Gates

The magazine has compiled a list of cars driven by the people who sit at the top of its annual mega-rich list and it is uninspiring, to say the least.

There are no Ferraris, Lamborghinis or Bugattis. Instead, there is a mix of garden-variety Lincolns, Dodges and Ford trucks.

Ingvar Kamprad, founder of the Swedish furniture and home goods company Ikea, takes the award for most questionable taste in cars. Kamprad, estimated to be worth about $37 billion, is the proud owner of a 13-year-old Volvo 240 GL.

The man at the top of the billionaires' list, Bill Gates (pictured), owns a Porsche 911 - but it's seven years old. With an estimated $66.7 billion in the bank, you'd
think he could afford to trade up.

Forbes speculates that for the super-rich, there is no need to drive a status symbol. Most prefer to live inconspicuously and a run-of-the-mill car attracts less attention.

Perhaps that explains why the No. 2 on the billionaires' list, investor Warren Buffett, drives a 2001 Lincoln Town Car, despite being worth $56 billion.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen ($29.3 billion) also has a high-mileage Porsche - a 1988 959 Coupe that shares a garage with a 1988 Mazda B-Series ute.

Another Microsoft billionaire, Steven Ballmer ($18.6 billion), stays true to his Detroit roots by driving a 1998 Lincoln Continental.

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud ($26.6 billion), nephew of Saudi King Abdullah, elevates the tone a bit with two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, other luxury cars - and two Korean-made Daewoo Matizes.

Wal-Mart heir Jim Walton is another who shuns Italian supercars for more practical transport. Despite an estimated worth of $20.9 billion, Walton can be seen about town in a 2002 Dodge Dakota pick-up or a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. His sister, Alice, also on the Forbes rich list and worth $20.6 billion, prefers a Ford F-Series pick-up.

[EA2BA]

The cars might be old or nothing flash but I bet you they are in better condition then when they left the showroom floor.

[rodderz]

Jim from the Jim's Franchise was on telly last week, he is worth millions yet has a 70's model Volvo and while a quite normal run of the mill house

[pertuan]

I think part of the reason is that Ferraris and such are just not practical cars. Imagine what a pain it would be to crawl out of a Ferrari every day that you go to work.

Although perhaps this article isnt talking about daily drivers.

[Ruger]

thats fair enough though maybe these people arent into flashy cars if it were me it would be the opposite. id be living in a 10 car garage with a bed and tv filled with exotics.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Well i guess we all know why these people are super rich & were not.

[Smoked]

These people dont have the time to appreciate cars. They probably spend most of their time making their billions of dollars.

[uranium_death]

If I had just 30 million, I'd buy a huge piece of land, HUGE garage, have heaps of Falcons (and a few extras) and enjoy what I have. I'd also have a big beer fridge and lots of footy vids. Also lots of computers.

But with regards to the beer fridge, I would drink with mates, but since my house would be so large and comfy, they would not be allowed to drink and drive. That would make them a bloody idiot. So they'd stay the night in one of the several bedrooms, with super comfy beds.

Dare to dream.

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by EA2BA

The cars might be old or nothing flash but I bet you they are in better condition then when they left the showroom floor.

I wouldn't mind a 7 year old 911.
I reckon the fact that it is 7 years old is nothing, as it will still turn heads. A badge is worth more than you realise. C-Class Mercedes for instance.

[AU-MUSTD]

I felt rich the other week when l saw dennis pagen drive off in a subaru liberty on the news. I thought wow we got one of those and i sure as hell dont get a million a year. Y'oud expect an audi at the very least.

[plext]

Originally Posted by drive.com.au

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen ($29.3 billion) also has a high-mileage Porsche - a 1988 959 Coupe

You'd have hoped that somebody writing a piece for a supposed motoring authority would have some insight.

A 959 is hardly low profile.

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by plext

You'd have hoped that somebody writing a piece for a supposed motoring authority would have some insight.

A 959 is hardly low profile.

agreed...!~



aparently gerry harvey (harvey norman) owns the same house as when he started the chain, and drives a Lexus LS400 still..

[Danny]

Originally Posted by plext

You'd have hoped that somebody writing a piece for a supposed motoring authority would have some insight.

A 959 is hardly low profile.

Thats What I thought. 959 has a buggerload of heritage behind it and is a Racing Classic!

Typical dumb american. If it isnt A Rolls Royce, Bentley, or if it doensn't have Spinners, 25 inch chromies, Hydraulics, or Fifteen Subwoofers. Its a Low Profile Car....

[Gammaboy]

Its particularly funny when you consider Gates managed to get the 959 "Federalised" (ie legal in the USA) by buying two, and having one emissions tested and then crash tested.
There's also plenty of pics of him cruising round in porsches far newer than 7 years old. And lets not forget that Paul Allen has the worlds largest privately owned Yacht.....

[satria]

Originally Posted by plext

You'd have hoped that somebody writing a piece for a supposed motoring authority would have some insight.

A 959 is hardly low profile.

hahahahaha exactly what i thought...the 959 is bugatti veyron of the late 80s early 90s and is practically priceless today.

goes to show what idiot wrote that article.

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by plext

You'd have hoped that somebody writing a piece for a supposed motoring authority would have some insight.

A 959 is hardly low profile.

You’ve gotta love a low profile car that can sprint to 320 kph. : :hihi:

I wonder if his Lea jet is low profile? :

[Neeek]

I'm worth millions and I drive an old XC wagon, so there's some truth in that piece...

;)

[merlin]

Originally Posted by AUIII XR8 MAN

Well i guess we all know why these people are super rich & were not.

good call. :hihi:

[HLC]

maybe the all have average size dicks? :hihi: