36 Cars I'd Own Instead Of One Bugatti Chiron

Am I really going to list 36 cars here? In a word, yes, but don’t worry about saving your finger scrolling strength because they won’t all get a photo or a witty paragraph. That’s not what this article is about.

I’m doing this because the Bugatti Chiron is awesome, and amazing, and incredible, and all kinds of other superlatives that are now bouncing through auto web sites and forums around the world. It’s also insanely expensive at £2.4 million ($2.6 million in U.S. greenbacks), and while I know it’s not the most expensive hypercar, I’m not entirely sure it’s worth the price.

For me, I think it comes down to this key question - is the Bugatti Chiron really the ultimate performance machine for petrolheads, or is it just a status symbol? I freely admit the Chiron’s place in the automotive world is far more complex than that, but my enthusiast heart just can’t get past all the various other types of motoring fun and excitement I could have for $2.6 million.

To illustrate my point, I went on a fantastic shopping spree to see what kind of fantasy garage I could create for the Chiron’s sticker price. Without really trying, my Chiron-less garage includes something from pretty much every car genre, though I do acknowledge a slight bias for American muscle. But hey, this is a fun list so don’t let my opinions stop you from creating (and sharing) your own monster garage. In the meantime, join me on the most epic hypothetical car shopping spree of all time.

Ferrari

I start not with muscle, but my favourite Italian supercar manufacturer. I originally had an F40, 288 GTO and a 365GTB Daytona on this list, but I cut that down to just these three: a 328 GTS for about $60,000, a 575 Maranello for $130,000, and a new 488 Spider for $270,000. That’s $460,000 total, but I still could’ve had all these amazing Ferraris for less than the Chiron.

Audi

I thought about taking a used Gallardo over a new $165,000 R8, but Ironman doesn’t drive a Lamborghini.

Alfa Romeo

The nice thing about having $2.6 million dollars to spend is that you don’t have to spend it on expensive supercars. I’ve always loved both the GTV6 and the Series 2 Spider, and very nice examples of each should cost a combined $40,000.

Ford

Yeah I’ve got a thing for Mustangs. I’m American, what did you expect? My Ford fetish starts with a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 for $50,000, a cheapo 1986 Mustang SVO 2.3 turbo for $6000, a 2004 SVT Mustang Cobra for $25,000 and of course a new Shelby GT350 for $60,000.

Beyond that, I need an Aussie 1974 Falcon XB GT for around $60,000, a 1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe for another $6000, and to satisfy my pickup truck fix, a supercharged 2004 SVT F-150 Lightning for $15,000. Lastly, I need a now-ready-for-American-import 1992 Escort Cosworth RS for $50,000, and to go with it, a new Focus RS for $35,000.

All total, we’ve got $307,000 in Blue Oval goodness.

General Motors

Okay, here come the Corvettes and a few other GM favourites. Believe it or not I’d skip the first two ‘Vette generations and start with a 1968 Corvette 427 for $100,000, followed by a 1995 Corvette ZR-1 for $35,000 and new 2016 Corvette Stingray for $60,000.

Then it’s muscle time, and for me that means a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 Convertible for $40,000. Jump forward to a Smokey and the Bandit 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am for $50,000, and though I’m not a big Camaro fan, I gotta have a 2015 Z/28 for $70,000.

That’s a lot of varied performance and style for $355,000.

Chrysler

Sorry Chrysler fans; I’ve never been much into the Mopar scene. That still wouldn’t stop me from adding a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible to the collection for $70,000. I’d fill my 1980s craving with a 1986 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z for $10,000 in pristine shape. And though it’s not the quickest Viper, the 1996 GTS coupe is still my favourite, and they’re selling for just $50,000.

Hey, I only spent $130,000 on Chrysler products. That leaves plenty for some more European shopping.

Jaguar

My next stop is Jaguar, because I must have an original E-Type. No Speedster - they’re considerably more and I want the experience of the original. I should be able to find a nice one for around $160,000, and yes, for another $10,000 I’ll give into my desire for an XJ-S V12. That’s $170,000 worth of Jags.

Mercedes-Benz

I only have one Merc on my list, but when it’s a C63 AMG for $65,000 you don’t need much else.

BMW

Go ahead, yell at me for not including an M3, but I like the C63 better. However, there’s nothing in the world that can take the place of an E24 M6. And in America I can dig up a decent example for around $35,000.

Saab

I can’t have a proper car collection without a 900 Turbo convertible, preferably an SE. They’re tough to find, but when they pop up they go for around $10,000.

Mitsubishi

Until the Evo VI is legal to import in America, I’ll go with an Evo VIII for $20,000.

Nissan

I’m not a Skyline fanboy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re amazing. And with a $2.6 million budget, I think $20,000 for an R32 GT-R is just fine. While I’m at it, I’ll add a Z31 300 ZX Turbo for $10,000. Two great cars for $30,000, and no I’m not interested in a new GTR. That’s what the Corvette Stingray is for.

Toyota

I’ve never been too interested in Supras, but I’d still love to have a wickedly fast RZ. Figure $100,000 in the U.S., including the base car and a plethora of go-fast goodies to make it properly fast and furious.

Honda

There’s only one Honda I have to own, and it’s the S2000 for $15,000.

Porsche

Here’s where you’re expecting me to say 959, but I always thought that car was butt ugly. Give me a classic 930 turbo instead, something from the early to mid-‘80s that will try to kill me every time I lift off the throttle. It’ll cost about $100,000 and several pairs of underwear until I get used to it, but it’s totally worth it.

SSC

I’ve saved the best and most expensive for last. At roughly $650,000 the SSC Ultimate Aero is just one-quarter the cost of the Chiron. But it’s nearly as quick to 60mph, it’s been tested to 257mph and it made an unofficial run to 270mph. It’s not as luxurious as the Bugatti, but I think it looks better, it has almost 1300bhp, it has a higher top speed than the Chiron, and I see it as being the ultimate hypercar for enthusiasts who actually intend to drive them.

All in all, not a bad way to spend $2,652,000.