While people with large amounts of money in their names usually tend to trade up every chance they get when it comes to cars, others, regardless of how successful they are, simply live well enough alone.
Still, while this isn’t a new trend by any stretch of the imagination, some of the names on this “list” that were compiled by CNBC are going to come as a shock, especially since most of them are billionaires, with a big, bold B.
Admit it, have you ever imagined somebody as wealthy as say, Warren Buffett, driving anything other than peak luxury? He’s currently the second-wealthiest individual in the world after Bill Gates, with a net worth of $75.6 billion.
So perhaps a Mercedes-Maybach would fit his needs? A fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms? Bentley Mulsanne? How about a 2014 Cadillac XTS? That’s more like it! But let’s run through the whole list of names:
Warren Buffett – Cadillac XTS
Earlier this year, a report came out that Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hethaway, bought a Cadillac XTS in 2014, as an upgrade to his previous car, a 2006 Cadillac DTS. You might think he really loves Cadillacs, and you’re probably right. Apparently, the business mogul drives very little, about 3,500 miles (5,600 km) per year, so in a way it makes sense for him to rarely buy a new car. Still, he could easily afford any of the world’s most luxurious and expensive automobiles.
Mark Zuckerberg – Acura TSX
Why the founder of Facebook and the fifth-richest man in the world isn’t driving something more technologically advanced than an old TSX is a bit strange. Then again, he simply might not be such a big “car guy”. According to CNBC, he says that his TSX, a car he’s been seen driving in the past, is “safe, comfortable and not ostentatious.” Allegedly, he also owns a VW Golf GTI, which costs about the same as his Acura.
Alice Walton – Ford F-150
Heiress to the Wal-Mart fortune and second-wealthiest woman in the world, Alice Walton apparently is a gal who loves trucks. More specifically, a 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch. What’s interesting is that her late father and founder of Wal-Mart, Sam Walton, drove the 1979 version of that same truck. You don’t mess with success, right?
Ingvar Kamprad – Volvo 240 GL
Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad returned to Sweden back in 2014 after 40-years of tax exile, when for two decades his favorite means of transportation was a 1993 Volvo 240 GL. It’s said that he only gave up driving the car after somebody convinced him that it was too dangerous to get on the road at the age of 91.
Steve Ballmer – Ford Fusion Hybrid
Former Microsoft CEO and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer, has a net worth of $30 billion and is the 21st richest person in the world. He’s also a massive Ford fan because his farther was a manager at Ford, which is where the brand loyalty comes from. Back in 2009, Ford’s CEO gave Ballmer a new Fusion Hybrid, although it’s possible he’s updated to something else by now. Either way, it’s not like there was a shortage of luxury cars back in 2009.
Kirk Cousins – GMC Savana
Finally the only person here who isn’t a billionaire. Don’t worry though, because with an annual income of $23.9 million, Washington Redskins starting QB Kirk Cousins isn’t exactly strapped for cash. Yet, the man with a cannon for an arm is very careful with how much money he spends, which is probably why he put some 100,000 miles on a GMC Savana Passenger Van and not a Cadillac Escalade.
* Note: Warren Buffett photo via U.S. Gov / Wikipedia