Before I get flamed, I actually have the cash to buy the car I'm looking at, but I would prefer to invest it in other things... thinking about the downpayment on a house back home, for instance. So I wonder if you can, as a foreigner with a high (in the US, very average, but thats a lot here) income, work permit, etc. if you can borrow to privately buy a used car from an individual seller.

Anyone tried?

I did it with my D-Max, didn't borrow as such but bought on finance. 5 year term with monthly payments, 75K deposit. Produced WP and letter from company confirming/certifying salary.

Edit:// Forgot to add, I had to produce local bank statements from the previous 3 months. Tisco bank is who I used for the finance.

I did too.

But I borrowed from my mum in law so that probably doesn't count.

Me twice. Used my wife for the actual paperwork. No problems.

Note the OP says used car.. Buying on main dealer arranged finance not same..

I had some complications buying a second hand motor that was on finance.. At one point instead of the outright purchase I offered to just take over finance but despite non imm O I couldnt.. Perhaps with a WP and income history..

I borrowed 285,000 for a second hand car - no problem. Actually it's in my wife's name but I pay the cash.

what tends to be the interest rate you get charged?

I got 7%. But now realise I could have got less with AIG.

I borrowed 285,000 for a second hand car - no problem. Actually it's in my wife's name but I pay the cash.

So your wife borrowed the money..

I borrowed 285,000 for a second hand car - no problem. Actually it's in my wife's name but I pay the cash.

So your wife borrowed the money..

mmm not sure.

I had to show my work permit and get a letter from my work, which would suggest I borrowed it. But, the car is in her name.

Surely its fairly obvious based on the documentation who borrowed it ??

I am guessing that if they insisted it had to be in her name then they lent her the money.. Perhaps with you as a guarantor or secondary lien.