Not all athletes are flashy, Rolex-flaunting snobs. Some like the simple things, especially when it comes to vehicles. Think about it – does a Ferrari make you look like a baller or jerk? These athletes vote for the latter. Scroll down to enjoy our list of athletes that drive beater cars:
Giovanni Bernard
Sure, Bernard is the running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, but that doesn’t stop him from mobbing a Honda Odyssey minivan. Oh yeah, and the van doesn’t even belong to him – it’s his girlfriend’s mother’s. Bernard may make $1.5 million dollars a year, but life in the NFL spotlight doesn’t last forever. That’s why he’s saving his pennies by avoiding a car payment.
- 2007 Honda Odyssey
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $6,074
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 244 hp
MPG: 19/26 city/highway
Brandon Jennings
The Ford Edge is anything but edgy (pun intended). Fords toaster-on-wheels is the vehicle of choice for soccer moms (and dads). It’s also what former NBA star Brandon Jennings drives. Jennings started out his career with a bang, but he’s now playing b-ball for the Chinese Basketball Association, not the NBA. So, maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t buy that Bugatti Veyron – it would cost him more than a year’s salary playing for the Shanxi Brave Dragons.
- 2010 Ford Edge
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $8,542
Engine: 3.5-liter V6, 265 hp
MPG: 18/25 city/highway
Ryan Kerrigan
Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is an all-American guy. That’s why he chooses to drive America’s SUV, the Chevrolet Tahoe. Although he makes about $8 million a year, Kerrigan turns up his nose at foreign sheet metal such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris. The Tahoe is better for staying undercover, too. Every strip mall parking lot is teeming with Tahoes, which means Kerrigan can blend in anywhere across America – making it one of the best beater cars for a celebrity looking for some anonymity.
- 2012 Chevy Tahoe
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $19,448
Engine: 5.3-liter V8, 320 hp
MPG: 15/21 city/highway
Mitchell Trubisky
Nothing is more snooze-worthy than a beige 1997 Toyota Camry – just like the one Mitchell Trubisky drives. Sure, it’s more than 20 years old and has the appeal of stale Wonder Bread, but the Bears quarterback loves it. Why? Because his grandmother gave it to him. Kudos to you, Mitch. You’re a standup guy.
- 1997 Toyota Camry
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $1,618
Engine: 2.2-liter 4-cylinder, 133 hp
MPG: 21/31 city/highway
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard’s contract with the Spurs is worth $90 million. You could buy a lot of Porsche 918 Spyders for that. Instead, Leonard insists on driving a 1997 Chevy Tahoe he salvaged from his grandma’s garage, according to many sources. Apparently, the rig didn’t run when the NBA star acquired it. Now that it’s tuned up and ready to go, he says he’ll keep on driving it because, well, it’s paid for.
- 1997 Chevy Tahoe
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $1,738
Engine: 5.7-liter V8, 255 hp
MPG: 15/19 city/highway
James Harrison
Cincinnati Bengals’ James Harrison is 6-feet tall and weighs 245 lbs, yet he drives a smart car. There’s only one explanation for this – he’s looking to draw attention to himself (and make people laugh at the same time). There’s no other valid excuse for driving a smart car. They’re slow, poorly made and a Prius gets better mileage. But hey, whatever floats your boat, Harrison.
- 2008 Smart Fortwo
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $3,736
Engine: 1.0-liter three-cylinder, 71 hp
MPG: 33/41 city/highway
Alfred Morris
On screen, Morris can be seen playing running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Off screen though, you’ll find him cruising in his 1991 Mazda 626, a real cheap beater car. Mazda offered to refurbish the famous car, named Bentley, in 2013. Morris accepted and his 26-year-old car got a complete overhaul, including a new engine. Morris might as well keep Bentley chugging along – in a few years, it will be considered a classic.
- 1991 Mazda 626
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $1,278
Engine: 2.2L four-cylinder, 110 hp
MPG: 19/26 city/highway
Daniel Norris
Daniel Norris doesn’t just drive his cheapo-mobile, he lives in it. That’s right, the Detroit Tigers pitcher lives in his 1978 Volkswagen van. It’s a good thing he can use the locker room shower since its doubtful his V-Dub van has one. Although they’re affordable now, Volkswagen camper vans are getting to be pretty collectible. So, Norris may be able to cash his in, should his baseball career go south.
- 1978 Volkswagen Transporter
Approximate value according to NADA: $15,200
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder, 67 hp
MPG: 20/28 city/highway
Kirk Cousins
You don’t see many GMC Savana passenger vans on the road nowadays. Most of them have already found their permanent resting place at the scrapyard. If you do see one of these dinosaurs roaring down the highway, it might belong to Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. Although he’ll earn $23.9 million in 2017, Cousins won’t give up the van he bought from his grandma for $5,000. In some ways the van makes sense – it’s probably great for tailgating at games. Plus, there’s always the allure of being able to sport a sign that reads “if this vans a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’.”
- 2000 GMC Savana Passenger Van
Approximate value according to NADA: $2,112
Engine: 5.7-liter V8, 255 hp
MPG: 14/18 city/highway
Jake Rudock
Rudock’s beater is kind of cool because it’s rare. The Detroit Lions quarterback drives a 2003 Ford Explorer with an uncommon manual transmission. Hank, as the Ford is lovingly referred to, has approximately 119,000 miles on him. Rudock feels Hank is just broken in and plans on driving him until the wheels roll off.
- 2003 Ford Explorer
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $2,308
Engine: 4.0-liter V6, 210 hp
MPG: 15/21 city/highway
Antonio Garay
What adult man – other than the late Michael Jackson – would be seen driving a smart car covered in Hello Kitty décor? Antonio Garay, that’s who. We’d wager the former NFL star is a bigger Hello Kitty fan than your 6-year-old daughter.
- 2008 Smart ForTwo
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $3,736
Engine: 1.0-liter three-cylinder, 71 hp
MPG: 33/41 city/highway
Ron Artest
Only a guy who calls himself “Metta World Peace” would be caught driving a Hyundai Genesis with gold hood louvers. The car is so hideous it makes a Pontiac Aztec look good. But the Lakers development coach loves it, partially because it was given to him by comedian George Lopez. Apparently, Ron and George’s old beater car love proves that they both have deplorable automotive taste.
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis
Approximate value according to Kelly Blue Book: $9,561
Engine: 4.6-liter V8, 375 hp
MPG: 17/25 city/highway
Next time you’re feeling bummed about your beater, just remember, there’s a professional athlete who would rock it.
