There was one winning ticket sold for last night’s record setting $1,600,000,000.00 Mega Millions lottery jackpot. Congrats to the winner, hopefully it is one of our readers. Our obvious question is, what is the first vehicle you buy when you have that much, or even half of it after taxes, at your disposal?
Please note, it’s not how many Porsches, which Konnesseigssuit, or which car company. The question is, what is the first vehicle you buy? As in, a daily driver, something to drive to the places where you buy your other hundred crappy cars and potentially have to trailer them back to your new garage warehouse.
I thought about it a little too long. I’d want something comfortable. Something quick and fun. But I’d want something that’s not ostentatious. Last thing I’d personally would want is additional attention when I have a billion dollars burning a hole in my pocket. My first thought was a Range Rover but then I realized that I’m kind falling out of love with them. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk would be a damn good choice but it’s getting kinda long in the tooth.
And then it hit me – the Ford Raptor. It’s quick, fun, comfortable, and relatively understated. I totally surprised myself that the first vehicle I’d buy when I got super-rich overnight would be a pickup truck.
Hooniverse Asks: What's the first car you'd buy if you won the $1.6B jackpot?
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68 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What's the first car you'd buy if you won the $1.6B jackpot?”
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2019 Corvette ZR-1 and/or Cadillac CTS-V 4-door.
I would also acquire the original George Barris Batmobile and turn it back into the Lincoln Futura.
And just to see how much money I could blow, show up and one of the good collector car auctions, Bonhams, Gooding or the like with, my bidder paddle on a 6 foot tall pole. (Just leave it up to be top bidder on EVERYTHING.)-
LOL on the Batmobile idea. Love it!
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My first automotive move wouldn’t be to buy a new vehicle – but what I would do is throw my GTX on the car trailer, drive to Springfield, Oregon and tell the Graveyard Carz shop to spare no expense on a full nut and bolt restoration. Well, maybe I would buy a new SuperDuty for that trip out West. Ah dreams…..
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Great idea, but that GYC guy drives me nuts with his OCD behavior. I’d send my Comet Caliente to Dave Kindig in Salt Lake City.
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Oh I don’t like the TV show, but the few times I’ve watched it’s beyond apparent that those guys live and breathe nothing but Mopar muscle and know exactly what they’re doing. I suppose that instead of a SuperDuty, I’d better drive up with a new HD Ram instead.
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They do certainly know their Mopars, and if you want yours put back exactly as it came from the factory, they’re your best bet.
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Maybe a trip to see Gale Banks about making sure that Ram is up to snuff, first?
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I would buy this little time capsule to my past and fix it up right (including manual swap):
I think outside getting a really good daily driver I’d get extra garage space for a small convertible like an MX-5/124. Probably go with the 124 with Abarth trim.
I’d love to try out a Chevy Cruze Diesel Hatch with a manual in brown, but fear I won’t like it, so would have to settle for something that isn’t almost perfect (FWD instead of RWD, but all the other boxes are ticked).
I don’t aspire to own some supercar… even getting a BMW or MB seems extravagant to me, even as a billionaire. KIA Stinger as a DD, maybe? -
Plymouth Prowler….because if I won a $1.6 billion lottery…..I want the world to know that I am a total tool.
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Perfect answer is perfect.
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Before I bought anything else, I would buy a local piece of rural property and build a workshop. I’d quit my job and spend my time and money restoring the cars I already have and love.
As for a new-car purchase, I’d buy my wife a Volvo XC90 to replace her old one. I can’t think of a single new car that really interests me enough to buy it, but I have a list as long as my d… arm of classic cars I’d buy. -
The first car I would buy wouldn’t be for me. I’m okay with my current fleet for a while, even if I had more money than I would know what to do with. The first car I’d buy would be a Cosworth Vega for my dad. He owned a ’75 Vega GT back in the day, and it was totaled. As such, he has an affinity for the Cosworth, but understandably can’t justify buying one. I would buy him the nicest one I could find.
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I would never buy a new car again. I’d lease my daily drivers and trade them in every two years for new stuff. But, I would buy perfect examples of my favorite cars…MB gull wing, Aston Martin DB 4 Zagato coupe, Borgward Rennsport, Panhard Dyna, Goliath coupe, and my weird list goes on.
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A number of lotto winners end up going bankrupt within a decade. They spend foolishly, and even after receiving their fortune that should leave them and their descendants set for life, they blow it.
I’d buy a beat up Ford Aspire. Park it where I will see it every day. It will serve as my automotive “head on a spike” to remind me not to be stupid with my money.-
That’s why you put half of whatever you win into some investment account you can’t touch. Live off the interest. And just go blow the other half with no sense of responsibility at all.
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The “can’t touch this” guy went broke.
https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/1-1.jpg-
That’s because MC supported a gaggle of new-found “friends” and hangers-on. They slowly bled him dry then abandoned him when things started going south.
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I wonder what the largest payout was that resulted in a bankruptcy. I totally get being an idiot with a $10 million prize that becomes $3.5 after taxes and lump-sum discount. $1.5 Billion in the form of an annuity seems like a hard thing to make end poorly.
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Sounds like a challenge!
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It wasn’t a lotto fortune, but Elizabeth Holmes went from $4.5 billion net worth to nothing in a year.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2016/06/01/from-4-5-billion-to-nothing-forbes-revises-estimated-net-worth-of-theranos-founder-elizabeth-holmes/
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I’d send the Cappuccino off for a full resto, with some tasty touge warrior style modifcations, don’t hand it back to me until it’s done…properly.
In the meantime, I’d need something to tip around in, there’s an Alfa dealer around the corner from me, and the Missus likes red automatic cars, so in the interests of domestic harmony, sacrifices could be made I guess… https://hips.hearstapps.com/amv-prod-cad-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/16q2/667349/2017-alfa-romeo-giulia-quadrifoglio-first-drive-review-car-and-driver-photo-668524-s-original.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,center&resize=900:* -
I would find one of those car dealer conglomerates that basically covers every brand in existence and would negotiate an unlimited car switching deal for my daily driver.
I would build a shop for the projects and fly in experts from around the world to help me through the tricky bits. -
I’d go with a Tacoma or ZR2 with all the overland goodies. Something I can drive through South America with. It would be nice to be able to take a trip like that and not care how long it takes, or if things break along the way, because I have all the money I need to fix anything (or just buy a whole damn new truck if needed), and no job to rush back to.
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Yes. First thing I’d do would be to go full-on bonkers upgrading the Stromtrooper 4Runner, and give it the equipment it deserves. Then: quit job (or take temporary leave), drive everywhere in the world the truck can take me.
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So your asking for a modicum of rationality?
https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/volvo-v90-cornering.jpg?itok=OvCY41dI
After that, there’s a lot of room for creativity. A trip to England and one to Russia would be booked pretty much right away. And I’d build a tunnel based garage under our house.-
Ok, you reminded me of the one car I saw at the Detroit auto show before its debut that genuinely impressed me. I would have a V90 wagon if all I did was sit in it and admire the beauty.
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They are pretty common around here and absolutely gorgeous, I agree. Like you said above, I would also consider the XC90, but it’s just…too much. Way too massive for me. As a seven seater, I think I’d splurge on a Honda Jade with a LHD conversion. That’s it with new cars.
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I had to Google “Honda Jade” to know what you were talking about, but it looks like a Civic wagon, and a pretty nice one at that. I’m surprised they don’t offer that in the U.S.
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…or you could, you know, move to a better neighbourhood?
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I do live in a better neighborhood, but some of the best food joints are back in da ‘hood.
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I intend on keeping my winnings on the down low. I’d probably get a Colorado ZR2 diesel. That’s something I could afford today, I just don’t like borrowing money for cars. So it wouldn’t draw attention to me.
Until I got extracted from this midwest life and moved to Santa Fe or Denver I’m not buying anything that attracts attention. I would send my Cutlass off to a high end shop for the full restomod treatment though. -
Under the assumption that I’d soon be moving to a place with a wider driveway, I’d finally acquire the free 1969 Winnebago of my dreams.
https://images.craigslist.org/01515_9J4vXzumK5W_600x450.jpg
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/1969-winnebago/6730239088.html-
In case you don’t win a big enough jackpot to move someplace with a wide driveway, something in the Petros collection would fit well in your current one.
https://www.mecum.com/auctions/schaumburg-2018/collections/petros-collection-at-no-reserve/page/all/-
Curiously enough, from that list my top two would be the DeSoto and the Jeepster.
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…because free can be very expensive sometimes.
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Like Zentropy said, first priority is the real estate – make sure I have somewhere to park my future collection before acquiring said collection.
Next is probably just whatever Craigslist oddities pique my interest – having a rotating collection of 5-10 fully depreciated vehicles (megabuck or not) should keep my overall spending down. But for the sake of listing one specific vehicle, let’s go with a Sprinter 4×4 – it can tow up to 7500lbs (so, should be fine for smaller vehicles for shorter trips), and if it all gets misspent, I could still live in the back of it (and can get to many rivers to live down by).
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0871/7220/products/4x4_lifted_van_1024x1024.jpg?v=1512110451 -
Not a car, but a race car team. Probably some lower rung IMSA Sport car.
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Not just a car, but race car team. Probably some lower rung IMSA Sport car. Travel the country, see a lot of racing and if we win have some pretty cool parties.
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BMW X6M. Because I have always said that if I had more money than I knew what to do with, that would be my first purchase. Ironically, they’re no longer even that expensive. You can find 2010-2014s with low miles for $25–30K.
https://hips.hearstapps.com/pop.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/05/54ca8dfea25ca_-_bmw-x6m-430-0709.jpg?fill=320:213&resize=480:*
…although if I wanted to buy new, that Bullit Mustang Jeff just tested could tempt me.-
Have I been hanging out at the ‘verse too much if I consider this an odder choice than a free Winnebago or a postapocalyptic armoured SUV?
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Yea, I didn’t see that coming from anyone, especially Peter.
Man, money does weird shit to people.-
I view X6M ownership as the automotive equivalent of lighting your cigar with a $100 bill.
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You’re thinking too small. I view free Winnebago ownership as the automotive equivalent of lighting your property value on fire with a bounced check.
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Having driven one of these at BMW Performance Driving School in 2012, I can say it is a fine example of humanity giving a debonair middle finger to physics and aesthetics with varying success. Amazingly fast around corners for a small apartment Quonset hut and it will show its tail to an E92 with ease on straights.
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A loaded Lexus LS would be quite sufficient.
https://www.lexus.com/cm-img/current-offers/hero/2019/Lexus-LS-current-offers-hero-996×391-LEX-LSG-MY18-0035-01.jpg-
GS-F is high on my list of “what to do with big-time lottery winnings.”
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I’d buy my parent’s Buick…for about $5 million.
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Step 1: Repair/upgrade the Stromtrooper 4Runner
Step 2: Take temporary leave from job and drive everywhere in the world it can take me
Step 3: Buy Bullitt Mustang
Step 4: Buy new JL Wrangler Rubicon with *every* option and modify to the limit of what’s street-able
Step 5: Buy Lexus GS-F
Step 6: Buy ND Miata Club
Step 7: Buy nicest, comfiest 2500-series pickup with a diesel, and trailer capable of hauling Jeep and Miata at same time
Step 8: Buy Audi TTRS, install snow tires
Step 9: Buy 991 911 GTS Targa, build into safari car
Step 10: Buy Mk4 Supra, equip exactly as the one in TF&TF
(And somewhere near the top buy my fiance a fully-equipped Range Rover Sport with the best warranty they have)
And there, in 30 seconds, I’ve blown a quarter or half a million dollars.-
You don’t need a warranty once you have your own full-time mechanic… “Jeeves, fix the Range Rover again!”
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GLC63 seems like it would make a nice runabout for the new billionaire, avoid bright painted brake calipers and don’t drive like a dick and most people wouldn’t even notice it.
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I see your GLC63 and raise you a Trackhawk
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Trackhawk?
/thread. -
Not sure I would trust an FCA vehicle, especially over here with the local arm.
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get a decent pickup truck for hauling everything else around then buy a BMW R1200RT and an Aerostich suit after that property with a large workshop, and a Land Rover Series III or Defender, after that who knows
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Yes! A new bike or two would be on my radar in rather short order. I’m thinking Triumph Explorer, Svartplien, and maybe a FE450.
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Raptor is a good choice but I’d hold off on that. My absolute first car would be a Mustang GT convertible. Plenty of them out there, not that many different configurations, so no point in special ordering. Practical enough for my needs, yet fun enough to be an entertaining daily driver. As a near billionaire (after taxes) it would be chump change. Buy it damned near the same day.
Then, later, I’d throw an obscene amount of money into my CJ-5. I’m thinking Icon levels of overkill. That would do me for an off road plaything. Then I’d hunt down an ’06 Ford GT in Gulf livery. At that point I’d need a tow vehicle and I don’t think Raptor would be my first choice. Probably get a F-150 Lariat Supercab with the 2.7 liter and the 36 gallon tank. I found my previous one to be a great road trip truck. At least with a motorcycle in the bed. For real towing I might have to step up to F-250/F-350, but probably not.
Then the true hobby car time would come. Bucket list things. Best to make that process last a decade or so.-
I’d probably go for a Mustang for the same reason of possibly getting one in a configuration I’d like, that or a F150 SuperCrew. For the other new cars I’d be ordering it exactly the way I want it. I figure if either of those aren’t exactly what I want long term I’ll just order the “right one” and leave the not quite right one(s) at the lake house, beach house or winter house.
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I was going straight to comment that I’d be tented to say the first car I’d buy would be a stupidly expensive 60s Ferrari or a Duesenberg.
Then I read the question.
In my neck of the woods, a raptor would be awesome but pretty ostentatious or shouty. I don’t generally like trucks but having so much money, why not?
VW amarok it is. Useful, not to expensive, it blends in (my local) traffic, and I don’t hate it. Then a trailer. And then off to get the mini, bmw 2002, mk2 escort, e30 convertible, citroen ds, citroen 2cv, fiat 124 spider, ford t, 66 fastback mustang, 65 convertible mustang, e-type jaguar, duesenberg, pursang alfa 8c, etc, etc, etc. -
If I ever had that money my dream vehicle Must be a new Mercedes G65 AMG V12 Biturbo !!
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I’d take the wife and kids to the Ford dealer and let them pick. As for me, I’d keep driving my beaters for a while but farm out restoration on the pickup, 50s Ford and Alfa Spider.
Actually, there is one car I would get immediately. I have a standing offer to take ownership of a friend’s 1972 S-class sedan with the 4.5L V8, for free. It hasn’t run in 20 years.
I would also immediately get rid of a car – that rat bastard Legacy GT. I’d invite others to suggest the most dramatic death possible and put the sacrifice on YouTube. -
Lexus LFA and track time at Laguna
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Mazda6 Signature. Low key, until I found a house or two.
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Probably a sturdy truck and trailer to start bringing home all of the weird projects I’m about to buy
