I need help making sure this isn’t a scam, 2003 Nissan 350Z

[azure ore]

So I checked out a Z from FB Marketplace today. It wasn’t on the best condition; a couple things I’d have to fix like installing 1 of the o2 sensors, master cylinder, some fitment stuff, and a thing for the gas cap. The clear coat is also peeling a bit and she’s a bit roughed up. It’s nothing I can’t fix w my friends that do mechanic work. The red flag is the title is in his friends name, the guy he bought it from. I asked abt it and he showed me texts with dates between him and his friend about him buying it. The transfer section of the title is filled out with the original owners details signed 5/24/24, the buyers section is completely empty. The guys I’m buying from said he’ll write me a bill of sale as well. Is this safe? Am I getting scammed?

[vagrant helm]

Title jumping, not a scam just a guy trying to avoid taxes

If you report him and he's got a dealer lisence, he's losing it

[formal dove]

I wouldn’t say scam but he technically should of put it in his name

It is known as title jump but he could have held on to the car for a long time and just never registered the car