Warren Buffett, Investments, US
Warren Buffett, the third richest man in the world is often accused of being a miser. Buffet owned a 2001 Lincoln Town Car that, symbolically enough, had a license plate that read 'Thrifty'. In 2007, the investment genius sold the car on eBay for $73,200 and made a profit of $11,000, which he donated to charity.
Mukesh Ambani, Petrochemicals, oil and gas, India
India's richest man, RIL's Mukesh Ambani is no stranger to luxury. His $2 million, 60-storey house coming up in the heart of posh Mumbai reportedly has a parking space for 168 cars. Ambani currently owns the $1.2 million Mercedes Maybach 62, a Mercedes S Class and a Mercedes SL500.
Lawrence Ellison, Oracle, US
Oracle Software founder, Larry Ellison is perhaps the most eccentric and extravagant of the billionaires' club. He owns a Russian MiG fighter plane as well as an America's Cup racing yacht. However, for the road, Ellison prefers his 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur. A car built for comfort, the Flying Spur's interiors are made from 11 cowhides. Oh, and by the way, at 200mph, it is also the fastest 4-door production car in the world.
Eike Batista, Mining oil, Brazil
Following closely on the heels of Larry Ellison, both in terms of personal wealth and lifestyle choice, is oil baron Eike Batista. The Brazilian flies around the world in his own $26 million Embraer Legacy 600 business jet, he owns the $19 million Pershing 115 luxury yacht and a $1.7 million racing boat which needs an engine change after each race. But what defines this billionaire is the fact that he has a $500,000 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren parked in his living room in Rio de Janeiro.
Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA, Sweden
If you thought Warren Buffet was 'Thrifty', you haven't met Ingvar Kamprad yet. The IKEA founder is on the opposite end of the scale that Larry Ellison and Eike Batista occupy, driving around his native Sweden in a Volvo 240 GL. And yes, he still takes the bus.
Alice Walton, Wal-Mart heiress, US
The Wal-Mart heiress has had her fair share of extravagance, owning Porsches over the past years. However, ever since she ran over a woman with her Porsche in 1989, Walton has stayed away from the flashy. She now prefers large trucks, currently driving a 2006 Ford F-150 King Ranch.
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia
If you belong to a royal family, and the Saudi one at that, rest assured luxury will follow you even if you don't want it to. So, it comes as no surprise that the Prince, who owns 3 palaces, a $500 million yacht, and a private Boeing 747 with an Airbus A380 on the way, should cruise the roads in a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
Steven Ballmer, Microsoft, US
From the extravagant to the frugal: Steven Ballmer, Microsoft's current CEO, prefers Lincolns, like Warren Buffet. Ballmer, whose father worked at the Ford Motor Company for 30 years, stays true to his Motor City roots, driving a 1998 Lincoln Continenta
Michael Dell, Dell, US
Bringing up the tail of the billionaires list is the man who gave us the personal computer, Michael Dell. When the skies are clear and the sun beats down, the Dell founder prefers his 2004 Porsche Boxster - a two-seater, 6-cylinder, top down beauty. However, when the weather turns, Dell drives about town in his monstrous 2005 Hummer H2 SUV.
