OP, contrary to your belief you can in fact register vehicles in your friends' names in *some* states in the USA. You may want to do a site search for the relevant thread, which runs many pages and is full of details.
You might find it's easiest to have your friends make their own purchases, since every time a vehicle changes hands there are fees and taxes to be paid. In my state, Washington, it's easy enough for a non-resident to purchase and register a vehicle, but sales tax comes due with each transfer of ownership--about 9%. There are states which have no sales tax, but the nearest example won't let non-residents register vehicles, so that's out.
Read the fine print (and don't make assumptions) and you'll do fine.
Mark
PS: It's my understanding that as a US resident I can, in fact, buy and register a vehicle in the UK. It sounds like insurance is the main issue at the moment....but maybe something's changed since Brexit.
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