1. Aston Martin One-77

About $2.4 million 

Aston Martin is what you'd call cheap but the One-77 takes the idea of conspicuous consumption to the next level.

It's widely regarded as the world's most expensive production car, a title it stole from the Bugatti Veyron (see below) by upping the ante in terms of driving technology.

 The One-77 will take you to a top speed of 340km/h and with acceleration of 0-100 in 3.5 seconds, it's no slouch off the mark. The engine is a V12 and a hand-beaten aluminium skin is laid over a carbon-fibre chassis.

It's the sort of car that is bound to appeal to the well-heeled lad about town and with the first vehicles being delivered this year, bookies in Britain already have David Beckham and Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay at short odds to become owners

2. Bugatti Veyron

  About $1.9 million

The Bugatti Veyron is one of the world's fastest production cars and critics suggest it's simply a life-support system for a spectacularly powerful engine. Under the hatch you'll find an 8.0-litre, 16-cylinder beast with four turbochargers and 763kW. A total of 10 radiators are needed to keep a lid on it all.

But the Bugatti is so much more.

A clutchless manual transmission allows you to shift gears in about a 10th of a second, rocketing you to a top speed of 408km/h. It's understood a new transmission will cost you $132,000 and a set of four Michelins a staggering $28,00

3-Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

  About $1.6 million

If you thought a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster at almost $870,000 was a dollar sign too far, then you aren't going to like the Reventon Roadster.

Don't expect any change from 1.6 million of our South Pacific pesos for the dramatic-looking drop-top that is, despite the Darth Vader looks, based on the Murcielago platform.

Just 20 examples of the drop-top will be built, which, given the price tag, might still be too many.

 And by the way, the Reventon follows Lamborghini tradition by being named after a famous Spanish fighting bull.

4-Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé

    About $1.3 million

What discussion of fantasy wheels would be complete without reference to a Rolls Royce?

The lidless Phantom uses a V12 engine measuring 6.8 litres. It needs the power such a massive engine can generate because it weighs about 2.6 tonnes.

 At almost six metres long and featuring rear-hinged doors, the Drophead seems a fraction overdone for something that only carries four people. But then, if you want to turn heads and travel in absolute luxury, there are few better ways to do it.

5. Maybach 62 Landaulet

  About $1.5 million

Back in the 1920 and '30s, the Landaulet body style was popular with the rich set. You basically took a car and chopped off the rear section of the roof. That way, James the chauffer got a roof over his head while the duchess in the back could choose either roof up or roof down.

In a left-of-field-style move, Maybach has decided to build its own Landaulet 80 years after everyone else decided to move on.

On the plus side, the vehicle is based on the breathtaking Maybach 62 and so you get a twin-turbo V12 engine and all the bells and whistles.

 Still, the landaulet body makes you wonder whether the company is trying a bit too hard to justify the price tag.