Ok Guys here are a few key points to clear any issues raised:

* There was an offer made by my mate.
* There was acceptance by the seller which mirrored the offer.
* A deposit was offerred by the buyer, however the seller didnt feal comfortable with giving out his bank details..
* When the acceptance was made by the seller the plane tickets/pik up truck/hotel was organised by the buyer.
* The night before he was to leave for the airport 45USN called and said along the lines of "I was just out driving my car and a guy is really keen on buying. I feel like a c%$#t but this guy is really keen, i know we had an agreement but this guy wont stop hassling me for the car, he really wants it."
* My mate replied along the lines of "Well we had an agreement and the car was sold to me"
* Subsequent to the offer and acceptance by both parties the buyer organised plane tickets/hotels/pik up trucks etc.

Hope this clears all issues.

In my opinion the answer to this is quite simple;

There was an offer, there was an acceptance, there is a contract, the contract was breached by the seller, the buyer should be compensated damages which includes costs that has arrisen due to the contract being made. Its not only morally wrong but legally wrong!!!