Contrary to popular belief, most millionaires do not drive flashy, exotic luxury cars. According to studies by Dave Ramsey and Experian data, the top brands driven by American millionaires are Toyota, Honda, and Ford. They prioritize practicality, reliability, and value over flash, often buying used cars with cash.
Ford 2. Honda 1. Toyota Most millionaires buy used cars with cash, avoiding car payments like the plague. They know that driving a fancy car isn't a sign of success—financial peace is.
But which vehicles does Musk drive himself on the daily? InsideEVs previously reported that in 2019, Musk said he drives a Tesla Model S Performance “Raven” along with a Model 3 Performance. If he's out with his kids, Musk says he opts for the Model X.
His first electric car caused a bit of controversy with one of his fellow billionaires, though. In a 2020 interview with Marques Brownlee, Gates revealed that he had bought a Porsche Taycan as his first dip into the EV world.
A social media user commented asking the CEO "so what does Zuck drive?" Mark responded saying "Mostly Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing these days." The social media comment is from 2024, but we know Zuckerberg has at least daily driven the CT5-V Blackwing for a period of time before potentially switching to another vehicle.
One of the most common reasons is that they modify the cars without the manufacturer's consent. Justin purchased a Ferrari 458 Italia F1 edition. He upset the manufacturer when he got it modified without the brand's permission.
Beautiful Rover P5B coupe and they were always called the poor man's Rolls Royce although ironically a minter will now be worth more than a 70's Silver Shadow.
Heads of state, monarchs, industrialists, and celebrities adopted Rolls-Royce as a mobile symbol of their status. The rarity, bespoke history, and unique provenance of each vehicle compounded its value from the very beginning.
His unflashy car became a talking point during interviews, especially when reporters expected a billionaire to show up in something extravagant. Bezos often joked that the Honda was “perfectly good,” reinforcing the image of a founder who focused more on building his company than projecting wealth.
Which car brand is driven most by millionaires? Though wealthy consumers are known for buying luxury car brands like Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, or Porsche, you might also find them driving mainstream brands such as Honda, Toyota, and Ford.
Warren Buffett, despite his billionaire status, prioritizes time and simplicity over luxury, driving an 11-year-old Cadillac XTS. He values utility and safety in a car, viewing the time spent car shopping as an unnecessary expense.
Elon Musk most often drives a Tesla Model S Performance and sometimes a Tesla Model X when he needs extra space. He also toggles between those and the Cybertruck, depending on the day.
“The Mercedes-Benz S-Class still holds its position as the top executive transportation choice in the luxury sedan segment, following decades of being the epitome of a luxury vehicle,” said Michael Capote, chief marketing officer at German Car Depot.
Datsun, now known as Nissan, built its US reputation with the iconic 510 sedan, often called "the poor man's BMW." However, before the 510, Datsun cautiously entered the US market with simpler and more affordable models.
Jeremy Clarkson's bond with the Porsche 928 runs deeper than simple admiration. In 1994, he received a call telling him his father was critically ill in Sheffield. With a roast chicken fresh out of the oven, Clarkson grabbed it, jumped into a 928 he was road testing, and drove flat out.
Now on YouTube: Well-known Porsche collector Johan-Frank Dirickx gave me a tour last year through his collection of the rarest Porsche 911s ever made. The original 911 R, RS 2.7, or the 964 RS 3.8 — in his words, the holy grail of Porsche 911s.