Thanks for all the lights! That's very usefull for a little frenchy as me.
Can't we find other people to buy the same car the same day as me and get better price?

So, paying half the price in cash and the rest with loan is good for my credit history. Ok.

 

Exchange rate in interesting for me but I'm still looking to save few bucks from places to places. It will pay for the extra things I might need later.

Question: do color and/or option change the price of my insurance, as it is in France?

 

If I remember correctly, the navigation only cost about $1100 on the Camry Hybrid.

 

A few comments on credit history and joys thereof.

Credit history in France won't be considered by US lenders - US credit reporting agencies don't look at any non-US transaction data. Also, EU has considerably different privacy requirements than US, so the data would most likely not be shared anyways. So, any history in France wouldn't be considered.

A lot will also depend on your visa status. If you get a 'real' SSN (via some sort of work-permitted visa and/or permanent residency), then a secured loan (even with minimal local history) is possible, though at a relatively high interest rate. A non-resident Taxpayer ID Number may create a problem - that will depend on the bank, and how obscene an interest rate you're willing to pay.

In any case, the "Patriot Act" passed as a post 9/11/01 reaction requires most lenders to 'know their customers' (read, insist on some sort of government ID and be able to produce files keyed by it to the government, when requested) to enable the government's easy tracking of peoples' financial data.

While it's possible to get a loan without such docs, it'll be at a significant 'risk premium' through 'not-traditional' sources.

As to 'building a history' - most lenders will consider anyone with < 2 years of history as 'newly established', typically subject to risk premium pricing. Also, risk models purchased by most lenders (e.g. FICO, or Beacon; both are commonly advertised as disclaimers in financing offers) require multiple trade lines (read loan accounts of some sort, including credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, as well as car loans) to compute - if all you have is a car loan and maybe a Amex, you'll be considered 'thin', again subject to risk premium pricing.

On car loans, a 'low risk' may be able to get 5-6% APR loan, median risk about 8-10%, and non-established can go up to 12-15% or more, if the lender is even willing to write the loan. Typically a sizable down-payment (> 30% of purchase price) will help overcome a 'thin' credit history.

 

Thanks for the lights on my problems!

 

Sometimes, yes. For example, a security system will often lower your insurance.

It depends on the insurance company. I have Geico and they have been good.

 

The hybrid's standard immobilizer system qualifies for a discount.
Don't justify over paying for the car (loan or lease) if you can afford to pay cash for the car, to build a credit rating. If you can afford the purchase, you will save money by paying in full, rather than financing it.
There are other ways that you can build a credit rating, such as taking out a charge card and paying the bills in full each month.

 

Sorry, too much "english" for me. What does that mean?

 

The car can't move if the electronic key isn't present or if the car isn't powered on (Toyota calls this feature the immobilizer)
This feature is sufficient to earn a discount on insurance.

 

Oh, ok. thanks for the clarification.

In general, I would like to thanks all of you for helping me and not laughing at a poor guy not knowing how things work on the other side of the ocean.