Whoa, good to know! They'd wait a LOOONG time to get me on that one, though... traveler's cheques? Can't see needing those in the near future!

Of course, by the sounds of it you were on the receiving end of the stolen car scam, and you'd probably try to re-sell the car being in the business you're in: the car could be sold again and again, dragging more and more people into it.

If you ARE chatting up someone (anyone) when talking about your holidays, it would be a good thing to mention that a friend or family member will be staying in the house the whole time (even if it's a lie).

Good thought about the DL for verification of the bill of sale, too... if the guy balks about it for whatever reason, bail. I've only bought cars from acquaintances or (rarely) dealerships, with few exceptions, and none of these exceptions involved a car that would be stolen and priced for a quick sale. The driver's licence is something I've never thought to ask for.