I say turn him in.... Has any of these potential buyers/barters seen the car's title with their own eyes? Is it a MA title or ??? It may have been mentioned in an earlier post, just curious.You're in a unique situation.
1. He sought you out to trade.
2. He offered a trade on a car with a known open title. (You could turn him in.)
3. You came here after a brief bit a of research noting the car.
I almost bought a MG vert terminator from TX a few years back. It wasn't until I was ready to send money that the title situation came to light plus some parts that came with the car (per his ad) he sold. Then he told me the ad he posted was a copy and paste from the guy he bought it from. I was like uh, FU keep the deposit and the car. I believe the guy that owned it had driven it for well over a year without titling the vehicle in his name. I need to look back on those old messages. I know it has since sold. It may be legal in TX too.....I dunno. I wonder how often this happens lol.