The wealthiest, smartest business people sit on the panel of Shark Tank as investors that are willing to use their experience to fund new ideas from innovative investors. It comes as no surprise that this group of intelligent, elite over-achievers has an abundance of wealth at their disposal. In addition to penning big deals on the show to help fund new corporations, they make some wildly expensive purchases of their own. Those are the most fun!
Cars are among the first thing that people drop their money on when they have enough of it to spare. Clearly Mark Cuban and his colleagues on Shark Tank have a few dollars to throw around - and the cars they buy are absolutely amazing!
There are some pretty big car collectors that sit on the panel of judges, and Mark Cuban is one of them. Let's take a look at some surprising facts about the cars that capture his attention, and peer into some of the other Shark Tank leaders to see what they drive as well.
15. He Didn't Have A Car Worth More Than $200 Until He Was 25 Years Old
Via Eater NY
Mark Cuban's net worth currently sits at roughly $4.1 billion, according to Business Insider. That level of extreme wealth doesn't come by accident. Cuban is known to give financial tips and advice, and sets a good example as he really followed the advice he preaches in his own life. He's always been conscious about his finances, and was focused on becoming wealthy from a young age. One of the ways he held on to his money is that he refused to drive a car worth more than $200 until he was 25 years old.
14. One Of His Humble Cars Is The 1966 Buick LeSabre
Via CNBC
One of the cars he purchased was a 1966 Buick LeSabre. CNBC reports that he drove this car, among other rusted-out clunkers as a way of tightening his finances and ensuring that he never wasted a penny. His philosophy, even from a young age, was that he would never be able to reach financial independence if he didn't make big sacrifices in order to get there. Sure, it may have started out as a huge sacrifice, but look at how well this thought process ended up paying off in the end!
13. He Once Owned A Fiat X1/9
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One of the first cars ever owned by Mark Cuban was his Fiat Z1/9. During a recent interview with CNBC, he jokingly looked back at the rusted-out Fiat he used to own. To give you a sense of just how much he was willing to sacrifice during his younger years, he tells fans that this Fiat of his had holes in the floorboard. It barely made it from point A to point B, but the fact remains that it did. It was good enough at the time, and he was able to splurge on his cars after seeing huge wealth in his later years.
12. He Drives His Family In A Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard
Via MercedesBenzKing
Times have certainly changed for Mark Cuban, and he sure doesn't need to sacrifice anymore. With his investments in everything from software to sports teams, money is no longer an issue he ever has to think about again. Among the many supercars and luxury cars in his collection, Cuban opts to use his Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard limousine for himself and his family, as their daily-drive. This $1.5 million dollar car is a far cry from the Fiat he used to roll around town in.
11. He Went On A Reality Show To Find His 1955 Ford Customline
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As a true lover of cars, Cuban knows a thing or two about appreciating vintage vehicles. These retro wheels have been restored and customized to suit his liking,while maintaining the integrity and authentic beauty of the car. He went to the famous folks at Grease Monkey Garage when he wanted work done on this piece of fine metal that is part of his huge car collection, and in order to get it in the first place, he appealed for one via a reality TV show!
10. His Dad Worked On Cars His Whole Life - Reupholstering Them
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Now that Mark Cuban is considered to be leader in finance and an influencer in business, he is often asked for financial advice, and is known to openly share his wisdom and guidance. He humbly looks back at his younger years and draws on his father for inspiration, stating that his dad was a hard worker his whole life. Cuban doesn't come from wealthy roots - he often saw his father work grueling hours as an automotive upholsterer. He was able to change the lives of everyone in his own family after gaining such huge wealth through his career.
9. His Ford Customline Was Restored By Grease Monkey Garage
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It comes as no surprise that someone with the car-sense that Mark Cuban does, would only entrust their vehicles to the very best. Grease Monkey Garage remains a favorite for Cuban. The team at Grease Monkey Garage worked alongside Cuban to ensure his every wish was executed in the restoration of his '55 Ford Customline. He was actively involved in all stages of the process.
8. He Lent His Celebrity To Celebrities Ride Into The Future With Lyft And Aptiv Self Driving Cars At CES In Las Vegas
Via Zimbio
Always the car-fanatic, and forever a businessman, Mark Cuban has found a way to mesh his two passions together for the greater good. He lent his celebrity status to Ride Into The future With Lyft And Aptiv Self Driving Cars. This event took place in Las Vegas and centered around a look into the future of self-driving cars. Cuban demonstrated that not only was he willing to drive into the future with this new technology,but that he was willing to invest in it too!
7. He Backed Carvana, A Start-Up That Uses Technology To Showcase Cars For Sale
Via CNBC
One of the best parts about Mark Cuban's current lifestyle is that he can pick and choose what he wants to get involved in. He has so much on the go at any given moment, and clearly he doesn't "need" to work at all, so to be backed by him on Shark Tank is a huge deal. It's an indicator that he's entering into a passion project,which was precisely the case with Carvana. He struck a deal on Shark Tank to feature this new technology and change the way cars that are for sale are showcased to consumers.
6. When He's Bored Of Cars, He Just Travels In His Own Jet Plane
Via Business Insider
It must be difficult for Mark Cuban to select which car to drive. His car collection is plentiful and would meet anyone's need for speed and luxury, but sometimes even a supercar isn't fast enough for this mogul. When all else fails, Cuban can opt to travel in one of his three private jets. That's right, three. According to Business Insider, he owns a Gulfstream V, Boeing 757 and a Boeing 767. The $40 million dollar purchase of his Gulfstream from an online source was noted by the Guinness Book Of World Records as The "largest e-commerce buy in history."
5. Alex Rodriguez: Porsche 911 GTS
Ok! Magazine
Alex Rodriguez shared his business knowledge and investment power when he appeared on Shark Thank for seasons 9 and 10. His broad investment portfolio and multi-faceted skill set has ensured that he comes on top of the financial game every single time. Now engaged to Jennifer Lopez, it comes as no surprise that they drive some of the best cars in the world. Shown here in his Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, this is one of his most modest purchases at $150,000.
4. Alex Rodriguez: Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe
Via Youtube
One of the other cars in Rodriguez' collection is a shared passion between him and another Shark Tank panelist, Robert Herjavec. These two are among the very few that would ever be able to afford this car. According to the Billionaire Club, the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe has a jaw-dropping starting price of $500,000, and that is of course, before customization upgraded features, and we're sure they both opted for.
3. Robert Herjavec: Lamborghinis - Lots Of Them
Via TheGlobeAndMail
Robert Herjavec not only loves exotic cars, he also has an extreme passion for them. His collection includes a 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 roadster, a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, and many more. When it comes to Lamborghinis, he's not just a fan, he's a collector. He's not shy about it either, and has often been featured on car shows and magazines, constantly being interviewed about his extravagant collection.
2. Robert Herjavec Has A Ferrari Collection
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When we mentioned that long-time Shark Tank panelist Robert Herjavec was a car enthusiast,we were not joking. Once a humble man from an immigrant Croatian family, he has grown his financial empire and become a man worth a whopping $200 million, according to Investopedia, According to Wired, he now owns 499 supercars! We've already discussed his obsession with Lamborghinis - he also an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which once belonged to rap star 50 Cent. As far as the Ferraris in his collection: Ferrari LaFerrari, A 1986 Testarossa, 2012 GTO, 2013 599 Aperta, 2011 458 Italia, and 2013 FF Ferrari F60 and a Ferrari 458 Speciale - and that's just to name a few.
1. Lori Grenier: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG
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Entrepreneur Lori Greiner is now known as “The Queen of QVC”. As a regular contributor to Shark Tank, she has become more prominent in the public eye. This has boosted her already very healthy earnings to an entirely new, far more elevated realm of wealth. Of all the cars in her collection, it's widely reported that her favorite luxury car in her garage is her bright red Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. After all the upgrades and personal features she loaded this car with, the price tag is estimated to be upwards of $400,000.
