The constantly publicized lives of celebrities offer us a window into the most extravagant things money can buy. Some of the more common things we get shown are their ludicrously expensive luxury cars. Some celebrities have even been reported to have paid almost $19 million for their vehicle, according to Yahoo Finance. That stands neck and neck among many of the real estate properties celebrities purchase. But while most might see this as a simple frivolity for the overly wealthy, deeper inspection suggests that their vehicle preferences might be more self-expressive than one would realize.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Nissan GT-R
Iron Man is the MCU’s resident billionaire techie extraordinaire, and Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t stray far from his most well-known role. One of the most standout pieces in his auto collection is the Nissan GT-R. This supercar isn’t as pricey as most of its contemporaries, only costing around $78,000 at the time of its debut. But its engineering is impressive enough to roll with the best of them. Equipped with a powerful 480hp twin-turbo V6 engine, the actor’s GT-R is capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in little more than 3 seconds. On top of that, it was fitted with state-of-the art driver assist features for the time, that still hold up nicely today. Drivers of any experience level can hop in and find that it runs like a dream, thanks to its various computer-assisted systems, such as its suspension and central control console. The GT-R line remains a technological marvel to this day, which makes it fitting for the man who plays Iron Man.
Kanye West’s Aventador LP700-4
Fitting for a rapper who loves to be larger-than-life is this super speedy ride. Reaching a top speed of 220 mph, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is one of Kanye West’s main rides of choice. The Aventador line of Lamborghinis is among the fastest commercially available vehicles ever engineered. But this family of sports cars is better known for being among the most well-designed and aesthetically pleasing cars in the world. The sleek matte black vehicle originally came in a glossy black, back when Kim Kardashian bought it for West for what would be around $337,000 USD today. But after Kanye’s modding specifications, his iconic Batmobile-esque auto came to be, bumping its value up to approximately $750,000 USD. Fast forward almost 10 years later, Kanye’s trusty Aventador still speeds along good as new, thanks to its efficient, durable design and Kanye’s meticulous care. This longevity doesn’t come cheap however, as a single catalytic converter for the car costs over $3,700 these days, and it needs two. But considering how it’s shown virtually zero wear or performance loss over the years, one could consider this an acceptable expense.
Post Malone’s Hennessey VelociRaptor
Nine-time Grammy nominee Post Malone is considered by many to be a musical powerhouse, and his ride of choice reflects this performative potential. The VelociRaptor is a 6×6 drive colossus, with six off-road tires mounted on 20-inch wheels. The truck is Hennessey’s supercharged take on the Ford Raptor, and its enhancements go beyond the two extra wheels. It’s powered by a 605-horsepower twin-turbo engine, almost three times the output of a regular Raptor. The VelociRaptor also operates on an upgraded Fox suspension system, and is equipped with safety features such as a rollbar, locking rear axles, and extra-protective front and rear bumpers. This titanic pickup truck ran Post around $349,000 initially, but after his specifications were met, it likely costs a couple thousand more. Post Malone’s personal VelociRaptor has had work done on practically every inch of it. It even boasts a .50 caliber machine gun mount on the bed.
While this is by no means a deep-dive into these celebrities’ psyches, the cars they like to collect and drive can tell us a lot more about them than what we hear or read about them. Our purchases reflect our innermost desires, and the cars these celebs buy show us that their desires can be just as human as that of the average person. They just have more money to satisfy them.
