You're a millionaire. What do you buy first?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 07/30/2015 at 09:40 • Filed to: Hypothetical

1

100

So you somehow just became a millionaire. Maybe when the lottery or maybe you won your first million dollar lawsuit. But either way you now have $1 million or more. What would you buy to let your family and friends know you’ve arrived and now are part of an elite group of people.

For me it would be a tough choice between a yellow Lamborghini Murcielago or a Ford GT. The Murcielago in yellow is the first car that ever got me into cars and the Ford GT is the greatest car made by any American car company in the 21st-century. It would be an incredibly tough decision and it probably be based on how patriotic I’m feeling today I won the lottery.

bob and john > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:42

7

singer 911 or a LFA

EL_ULY > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:43

4

my parents would get a good chunk ($400k)

pay my debts ($100k)

chingos of diecast cars, bass guitars, wife stuff (shoes, clothes, handbags, etc) ($100k)

Toyota Land Cruiser and C7 Z06 ($200k)

with the last $200k, buy a ex Porsche GT3 Cup racecar ($200k)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:45

2

None of that. Something exclusive.

First choice:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de…

Second choice:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/ca…

iNvDrZiM > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:46

18

Honestly, I’ve always told myself that if I had even “just” $1 million I’d pay off all of my debts first and then purchase a modest home - setting aside enough to pay property taxes for a good amount time. I’d probably be a boring millionaire...

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:47

1

A house. With a garage. Then a fund to pay the property taxes on the house for the rest of my life. With the little I had left over, probably an AW11 MR2.

Mattbob > bob and john 07/30/2015 at 09:47

0

That Singer... mmmmmmm

djmt1 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:47

3

I’d buy a couple of cats.

KnowsAboutCars > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:48

3

A plot on which I’d proceed to build a house with a big garage.

The Dummy Gummy > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:48

2

Probably a whole lotta ‘dead’ hookers for some sweet sweet revenge.

I kid. I’d probably by a 31’ Contender. Pay off my house and move my mom to nicer quarters. Establish a college fun for my kid and then put the rest in stock.

LongbowMkII > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:48

4

Land cruiser+ ND Miata. A million doesn't go far if you're not careful

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:49

2

I’d pay Nameless a large sum of money to build me a Toyobaru for stage rally

OPPOsaurus WRX > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:49

12

Walk of Shane > iNvDrZiM 07/30/2015 at 09:49

3

I’m with you on that. $1 million isn’t what it used to be. I’d pay down all my debt. Buy a decent home with cash. And invest the rest. I like my life the way it is. Mo’ money, Mo’ problems.

Hiroku > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:49

3

Invest in something, so I don’t become immediately poor again after a week. #funatparties

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:50

2

This House http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house… Edit: did not see the 1 million part, I won’t be buying that house then I guess.

Oh.. you meant first car? Hmm.. A Toyota Century.

Or a Morgan plus 8.

Rainbow > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:50

1

My first purchase would be a slightly used base-model Nissan Versa sedan. Seriously.

I haven’t had the opportunity to drive stick yet, so I’d like to get a cheap car to practice on before I buy anything fancy. Of course, “cheap” in this case means the cheapest one I can get that’s still under warranty, just so it’ll be comfortable. And, obviously, in this scenario I have enough money that this nearly-new car will be completely disposable, so I’ll strip it of every single non-essential part and sell them (excluding the seats, which will become bedroom furniture) to help make up for the cost of the car, and to make it faster.

Once I feel comfortable handling a manual, I’ll get myself an older Ferrari of some sort. Preferably in the $40,000 area. Unless money is nearly limitless for me, I’m still going to be frugal with it. I’d rather have 50 used dream cars than two new ones.

Also, I’ll keep the Versa as a daily driver and eventually give it away to someone who needs it more than I do.

NYankee1927 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:50

0

911 GT3 and pay off my house. Whew that million went quick.

$kaycog > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:51

4

Let me think for a nano second. Oh, yeah, this!

EL_ULY > bob and john 07/30/2015 at 09:51

0

pretty much the best answer ever. Singer 911 and LFA.... hellz yeah!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:52

3

House on a lake, a Sierra 2500 Denali Duramax, an F80 M3, and a boat.

Alfalfa > iNvDrZiM 07/30/2015 at 09:54

1

This right here. A decent house, if I splurge on anything it would be more garage space. Space that I would probably fill with cars under 10k each, if that. I’d probably buy a small-ish house for my mom, as well.

TylerLinner > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:55

2

I’d start restoring my truck, or maybe send it back to Ford for a super special restoration. And then I’d buy a SAAB 96 V4 or second gen Sonett. Yeah, my “millionaire car” is a non-turbo Saab. Deal with it.

scoob > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:56

4

Am I the only one that thinks 1 million isn’t enough?

Milky > OPPOsaurus WRX 07/30/2015 at 09:56

2

thebigbossyboss > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:56

3

Buick GNX.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:58

2

I would start buying stocks and other investments, to be honest. Sure, as The Clarkson says, you can’t drive around in a bank statement, but I have this question...

Why would I want to sacrifice the ability to say “I work because I *want* to, not because I *have* to”?

That would say more about my wealth than any car.

SummerFun > JR1 07/30/2015 at 09:59

2

It you only have a million and you buy one of those cars then you’re an idiot. You buy those cars when you turn that 1 million into 10 million.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > scoob 07/30/2015 at 10:01

1

Nope.. I’ll need about 10 just to be able to buy my dream house :P

KatzManDu > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:01

0

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-video…

MPA > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:01

1

Probably a 458 or 488 Spyder

CalzoneGolem > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:02

4

First thing I’d buy is a certain 2013 Kia Soul, then our house, then I’d pay off my wife’s student loans and setup trust funds for our children. After all the boring stuff was taking care of I would be a four door Ford Raptor in black and a couple cans of red spray paint.

dogisbadob > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:03

1

A Mondial :p

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:03

1

A large garage with attached house. Throw in a Testarossa, 308GTB Quattrovalvole, a McBurnie Daytona replica, something a bit more track friendly (or maybe just a supercharged 2ZZ for Charlie) and spend the rest on linen suits, loafers, and definitely not socks.

itschrome > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:04

0

Nothing. My car would go for a ground up concourse level restore. But I suppose I’d need something to drive in the mean time. Maybe a xts?

DoYouEvenShift > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:05

1

Ignoring all the reasonable things to do as an adult, and strictly speaking cars.

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:06

1

A yacht that can take me and an E39 M5 around the world.

RockThrillz89 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:08

3

About 20 acres of land (land is really cheap in my area), build a modest home, slightly less modest garage, and park an Aventador in there. The remaining would go to the little debt that I have, booger sugar and hookers.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > iNvDrZiM 07/30/2015 at 10:09

1

I could get a good enough place and good garaging for probably about a half mil if I didn’t have to worry too much about access to work. Somewhere cheap enough for that would also tend toward low property tax, so set aside a bunch for that and paying off my current debts and the Feds, I’d still likely have at least $300k. Invest some, buy a $100k car, done.

Milky > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:10

1

Almost said Viper, but if we’re talking a milly

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:12

0

Nothing too special, because I’d like to stay in that elite group.

ivan256 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:14

0

This is just a depressing demonstration of how having a million dollars isn’t what it used to be.

Seriously, would you ever just drop a quarter to half of all your money on a toy? (People under 25, don’t answer this.)

If I suddenly had a million bucks, I’d probably end up with a car in the $75k-but-was-$120k-new range. No, scratch that. I’d have an M3 daily driver (an older V8), and a 4C for the weekends. And no mortgage, and a private education for my kid.

JR1 > bob and john 07/30/2015 at 10:14

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Both of those are excellent choices

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/30/2015 at 10:15

0

(1) million.

JR1 > iNvDrZiM 07/30/2015 at 10:15

1

Find you have 30 million what are you buy?

JR1 > scoob 07/30/2015 at 10:16

1

Fine you have 10 million

JR1 > EL_ULY 07/30/2015 at 10:16

0

That’s a great plan

OPPOsaurus WRX > Milky 07/30/2015 at 10:17

0

lol yet I drive a WRX

citizennick > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:17

1

OppositeLock and become king overlord.

JR1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 07/30/2015 at 10:17

0

The supercar would be first to announce I’m rich but then would come the classics

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:19

3

A plane ticket to somewhere, not entirely sure where, but I would essentially disappear for a year or two to travel everywhere I desire.

When I got back, I’d buy a KGC10 GT-R. I wouldn’t be buying it to show anyone I’d arrived in the lap of luxury, because no normal person is going to recognize that the 1970s boxy Japanese car I’m driving is worth $150k to over $200k. I’d then buy a nice home with cash and invest the rest.

JR1 > Rainbow 07/30/2015 at 10:19

1

I like the idea about giving the versa away. And really in this situation monies limitless is not $1 million would be more like 30 million. But a $40,000 Ferrari is hard to come by nowadays unless less you want to Mondial.

SummerFun > scoob 07/30/2015 at 10:19

1

It’s not. Lots of people are millionaires. None of these people drive supercars.

JR1 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 07/30/2015 at 10:20

0

Sure that’s true I would invest as well. But I would also want a car of my dreams

JR1 > Hiroku 07/30/2015 at 10:21

0

Invest in cars!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/30/2015 at 10:23

0

Those are all relatively cheap. All of the cars can probably be had for under $100k combined.

JR1 > itschrome 07/30/2015 at 10:23

1

I would probably do that too with my 59 Lincoln. But like you said I’d have to have something to drive in the meantime.

Brickman > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:23

0

Build a cabin somewhere in the rockies, own Unimog, NSX, maybe own racetrack +profit :D

JR1 > Milky 07/30/2015 at 10:23

0

I always forget about Spyker

Flavien Vidal > EL_ULY 07/30/2015 at 10:24

1

You have 100k$ worth of debt??? Holy shit, what did you do????

JR1 > NYankee1927 07/30/2015 at 10:25

0

Hey 997 GT3 or a 991

JR1 > SummerFun 07/30/2015 at 10:26

0

I see the Ford GT as an investment. But yes it was truly only $1 million I would likely buy a couple of fun cars instead of one amazing car

iNvDrZiM > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:26

1

Here’s my list (in no particular):

S2000

NSX

R34

Tesla Model S (for my wife)

Nothing especially flashy, but all hard to justify purchasing now given my current income (and family size).

I’d also consider buy a large enough plot of land to build my own personal racetrack on (this specific example has an estimated cost $10 million), but would most likely choose not to, for practicality’s sake:

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/30/2015 at 10:28

0

Daytona replica is cheap, $23,000.

The others... not so much.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/ca…

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/ca…

You won’t get much in the way of real estate out of your change. Unless property is dirt cheap in Florida.

misfitmascots > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:29

2

More land, a bigger investment portfolio

Rainbow > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:29

0

True. I’d probably end up spending a bit more, but it’s definitely not hard at all to find a good 360 or 355 or whatever for under $100,000. Oh, and 348s go for $40-50k regularly. At least according to eBay right now.

EL_ULY > Flavien Vidal 07/30/2015 at 10:30

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Mostly to pay my house off. The rest is my student loans, my wife’s school (2016), house stuff (furniture, appliances, etc.), and couple online accounts. No biggie

GhostZ > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:30

2

A 1977 280Z, in clean condition. Put the rest in a high yeild mutual fund.

Then buy another car next year. Every year. For the rest of my life.

LongbowMkII > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:30

0

Vintage cars are an investment!

*buys old porsche*

*vintage car market crashes*

Fuuuuuuuu

Tripper > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:30

1

997 GT3. Backup = 997 Turbo S

DoYouEvenShift > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:32

2

Oh yeah, one of these too.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/30/2015 at 10:33

1

I’d be surprised if those actually get those prices. Weren’t normal TRs selling for like 50-75 a year ago? Over $100k for a 308? Very CP. Even with those prices though, it still leaves about $750k for linen suits, loafers, real estate, and absolutely no socks.

petebmwm > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:33

0

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:35

0

This is tough one for me because I have cheap taste in cars. If I had a million bucks I’d spend maybe 100,000 of it on cars. But I guess the first one would probably be an early NSX in dark green. that still leave me 30k for a truck and 20 for a DD and 10k for another toy.

Edit for the truck I’d buy a new or lightly used Laramie LongHorn 1500 in this color combo, crew cab 6’3” box, Ecodiesel if I could find one. It’d be so nice I would just DD it cuz who cares about MPGs.

So that’s two very usable cars for only like...90 grand. no so bad.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > KnowsAboutCars 07/30/2015 at 10:35

0

ans freaking race track!

scoob > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:36

1

I’d probably still just buy an STI either way lol.

Rainbow > iNvDrZiM 07/30/2015 at 10:36

1

Almost all millionaires are exactly what you’ve described. Seriously. Most live in ordinary suburban neighborhoods, driving Elantras and sending their kids to public school. That’s how they’re able to remain millionaires. It takes at least, say, $10 million to really start going crazy with it.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:36

2

Land, then I build a house with a really sweet garage. As for a car, I’d pimp the crap out of my old one just because I could. Would start a business and/or invest the remainder.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > itschrome 07/30/2015 at 10:37

0

This is the part where I allege you mean an airport concourse and not an auto concours, so a concourse level restore would be “good enough! Put it on display!”

KnowsAboutCars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/30/2015 at 10:40

0

That would be a bit of a challenge with all the environment and noise regulations.

Sam > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:42

0

I’ve already decided that if I win Powerball I’m buying a P1. I don’t care if they don’t make them anymore, I’m buying a god-damn P1 in midnight purple.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/30/2015 at 10:46

0

You know Florida prices better than I do... but up here that’s not much real estate, unless you go out into the sticks.

NYankee1927 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:48

0

991. Even though it is not as pure as rowing your own, the sound inside the car when the PDK shifts at redline is amazing.

Mayyybbeeee if I had enough left over I could manage a used 997 GT3 Cup Car for track duty. I saw a few back on racing junk for 75K.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > KnowsAboutCars 07/30/2015 at 10:50

0

HAHAHAHHA I live in norther Wi. if you aren’t in town you can do what you like on your land. I’d most likely biuld a dirt track, like a mini rally stage. Kinda already have that going on at my father in laws. Just a 4 wheeler trail that we grated enough to smooth it a bit. we;ve just got an old Civic we race around it. So that with WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more budget to build the track and a couple old WRXs and maybe a foxbody or two for RWD fun.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 07/30/2015 at 10:50

1

To a certain extent, I want sticks. I want to be able to make all of the noise I want without any neighbors bothering me Looking at Trulia, I can totally get enough with that budget.

Cherry_man1 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:52

0

I would buy a Ford GT like you then but a Maserati GranTursimo MC for DD purposes, then take what is left get a small house and invest the rest

Justin Hughes > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:53

0

A house, with a big garage and fair bit of land.

But if you’re looking for vehicle related purchases, after that was acquired, I’d pay off my BRZ and turn it into a track day toy. Then I’d buy myself a nice daily driver - possibly a BMW of some kind. I’d buy my other half the Ford Flex she wants (or maybe a Tahoe - her choice). Then I’d buy us a fairly cheap rally car, preferably RWD, and a trailer so we could start rallying, as well as take the BRZ to the track and be able to get it home if I break it.

I’d also keep my Honda PC800, buy my friend’s Marauder (which is currently waiting until the PC800 sells), pick up a dual-sport to try out off-road riding, and something for long distance road tripping - either a sport tourer or cruiser of some kind. Then I’d take some time off and do the cross country ride I’ve dreamed of for years.

Vicente Esteve > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:56

0

After fleeing Mexico, a good business, house, budgets of everything for the future I would then start to think about the cars.

W8 Passat Wagon

V10 Touareg

Turbo Cayenne

993 911 Targa

W12 Phaeton

MK1 GTI

R32 Golf

666 VIN Hellcat Charger

of course I am missing a lot, but if you notice this list of cars is barely 150K. I will need some more for repairs!

SummerFun > EL_ULY 07/30/2015 at 10:57

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How much did you buy your house for? My townhouse cost $1M :S

Milky > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:57

0

Thats why I like Spyker. That and the cool exterior and amazing interior, not everything needs to be Ferrari fast.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > KnowsAboutCars 07/30/2015 at 10:58

0

Well you could buy 160,000 acres in North Dakota and build it in the middle. Your nearest neighbor will be too far away to care. and you can just build an extra house or two for your friend and family. Hell at that point I’m pretty ure your drive way would make a decent rally stage since it’ll be a mile or two long. http://www.landwatch.com/North-Dakota-L…

ColoradoTaco > JR1 07/30/2015 at 10:58

0

I’d import and dd one of these:

track one of these:

and use one of these for fishing/camping/towing duties:

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/30/2015 at 11:00

0

I personally like the outskirts, but not the sticks so much. And on the outskirts you pay $$$, because that’s most peoples dream property, just isolated enough, decent amount of property, and close enough to town...

Meh.

TractorPillow > JR1 07/30/2015 at 11:00

1

Viper ACR and lots of driving classes.

Small house with nice 4 car garage

SUV for wife

Invest the rest.

WiscoProud > JR1 07/30/2015 at 11:01

1

After paying off all of my and my wife’s debts, I do believe I would buy a large garage (10 bays or so) and start picking up odd ball, semi-affordable cars. One million dollars isn’t really that much anymore, so no $250k exotics for me, just a bunch under $50k and maybe one up to $100k. I’m currently on a BMW kick, so E34 M5, E28 M6, 3.0 CSL, 2002 Tii, E39 M5, Porsche 944 turbo S, Land Rover Series II or III, Kit out my LC100, Pantera, etc. While I'm not rolling in a fancy Ferrari, I am certain I would have more fun.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > JR1 07/30/2015 at 11:04

2

The first two things I thought of. Fun and fun practical DD.

Sn210 > JR1 07/30/2015 at 11:06

0

I'd have to buy a small airport with a hanger. Plenty of Tarmac to drive on and plenty of garage space in the hanger. I think I'd get a McLaren 12c, an Audi S8 for long trips, a Jeep SRT for the winter. Then I'd start collecting. I think I'd also restore my TL for when I want a low profile.

KnowsAboutCars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/30/2015 at 11:11

0

Well, I might be able to get away with a dirt track somewhere in the Finnish countryside. If I don’t want to move away from the area I currently live in I can only dream of owning that much land. 1 Acre = 4047 sq meters.

EL_ULY > SummerFun 07/30/2015 at 11:12

0

lol $90k :] When one busts his ass from 6-6, they don’t make too much of the moneyz. But it’s all good. It’s a solid older box. Suck around November when all the pine needles start to fall. It’s a battle I can never win. Biggest benefit in living in a $1mil townhome, no yard work lol. Pine needles are the devil! I got a new leaf blower last week to do the roof. That alone is way easier than a broom

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > KnowsAboutCars 07/30/2015 at 11:13

0

Ah that does change things a bit. I forget on a regular basis that Oppo is international.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > JR1 07/30/2015 at 11:13

1

A BRZ, some parts, and an abandoned parking lot.