Many dealers are happy to help with a "reveal." They might provide the giant bow or even deliver the car to the recipient's house for a small fee.
In most states, you must pay sales tax when you buy the car. When you "gift" it to the recipient later, they may be exempt from paying sales tax again if you provide a "Gift Affidavit" (rules vary by state).
This is the easiest route. You pay, the dealer or private seller hands over the title, and you can put any name on it.
If you want a "big bow" moment, you’ll likely need to buy the car in your name first and transfer the title later.
You generally cannot take out a loan for a car that will be titled in someone else's name. If you are financing the gift, you will likely need to be a co-signer or own the loan yourself until it’s paid off.
Buying a car for someone else is a generous gesture, but it requires more legal and logistical legwork than buying one for yourself. 1. The Strategy: Surprise vs. Practicality