But what if you could get the thrill of a high-performance machine without the multi-million Naira price tag?
That’s exactly what Chris Slix, an ingenious car enthusiast, set out to prove. Like many, Chris harboured a dream of owning a McLaren, but faced the harsh reality of its prohibitive cost, even a used model. Adding to the challenge, some exclusive car brands have stringent purchase history requirements, effectively shutting out new buyers, regardless of their financial standing.
Undeterred, Chris set out to prove that with ingenuity and smart sourcing, the supercar dream could be achieved for less than one-tenth of the cost — and he did it with the help of Temu. A recent IPSOS survey found that 80% of respondents globally believe Temu offers value for money, with shoppers reporting average savings of 24%. More than half said they would recommend the platform to others, underscoring its growing reputation as a go-to destination for smart, savvy shopping.
Chris realised that most limited edition McLarens share parts with the base-model cars of the brand. So, he took one of McLaren’s most affordable cars and DIYed it into a premium version with budget parts from Temu. While the original car costs nearly N831 million and buying branded parts is equally exorbitant, Chris was able to buy the parts for around N52 million.
Image credits: @Chris Slix on YouTube
“I had four criteria when I was hunting for pieces – harder, better, faster, stronger; five, if you count ‘cheaper’.
His purchase was a made-to-order McLaren 650s – 675LT Full Dry-Carbon Conversion Kit, which formed the body of the car and gave it the look and feel of a dream car. It is this body and the unique tangerine paint that set the car apart from other McLarens and made it look truly premium and unique.
“The product arrived in a massive box and was completely worth the wait and the excitement. The piece itself was very well-made with no imperfections at all!”
Image credits: @Chris Slix on YouTube
The final product, with the body, paint, and parts, was truly a beauty, to the point that nobody would have been able to tell that this cost less than a quarter of the original car. Looks like you really don’t have to be a billionaire to shop like one; or for that matter, even drive like one.
For Nigerian car enthusiasts, it’s a clear signal: you don’t need a multi-million Naira budget or exclusive brand connections to pursue your ultimate automotive vision. With the right research, a bit of DIY spirit, and the unparalleled value offered on platforms like Temu, creating your own version of a dream car is now more within reach than ever before.