I'd like to hear some feedback on the situation I'm faced with. We just
bought a '99 Honda Civic EX Coupe, black, 62,000 miles, for $7,500.
Obvious needs at the time were a new windshield and a good cleaning,
floor mats and a remote (original keys were said to be lost by the
daughter who drove the car). The car has typical kid use damage.
Included were 17" wheels and new tires up front, newer in back. JVC cd
player, I want to say 200 watts (yikes!) with an amp in the trunk, Sony
speakers in the back.

Sounds like a great deal, huh? It might be, and I'm just being hyper
sensitive. That's where you come in. The plot thickens.

Once the car is home, we realize it's been in an accident. It looks like
airbags could've deployed as the cover for the dash bag looks newer than
the dash.
The front end driver's side was repaired.
New light, bumper and grill, and left front fender. They used '98 parts
and I've now been informed that '99 year is slightly different in size.
That explains why the bumper and fender are off by about an inch on the
driver's side... also explains gaps around the '99 light that was used
to replace the damaged one (have had to buy new light for passenger side
as it's a '98 and doesn't match the '99's style on the driver's side.)
Now, to look at the car from the front, you'd say, "nice car." It's good
from afar, but far from good. Well, sorta. The fit and finish are less
than perfect.

The back lights are of the '96-98 model year. Causes me much angst until
I realize the original's had been replaced and they weren't '99 model
year. This is not a huge biggie, as my son has already ordered new back
lights. But still. I had to run around finding the right size bolts (one
had only one bolt holding it in place!) as Honda was out of them.
Metric....

Had it to the mechanic. Hank says car is in good shape mechanically.
Needed new front brakes, tranny flush, radiator flush (almost all water
in rad.), tune up, lights replaced in taillights, battery holder. No
frame damage visible. Trunk rides up on driver side and back bumper
looks to have been pushed forward a bit. Not super noticeable, but I'm
picky.

California law states any damage over $750. be reported. This car came
back unreported which tells me daughter got in a fender bender and they
bought aftermarket parts of the wrong year to replace some of them and
repaired the damage without a report to the state. (I'm guessing the
bumper and grill are the two '98 parts.)

Do I contemplate some action, done very easily as there's lawyers in
immediate family, or do I suck up the experience and realize my son's
got a really nice looking and now mechanically sound car for a decent
price? ($7500, + $600 in maintenance/repair, $160. taillight, $50.
mats. = $8300.)

Oh, they didn't give us the smog certificate that's required by law,
either.
Novices that we are, failed to ask for it too. (-$68.)

Buyer beware? Or grounds for reimbursement to right the car with '99
parts, a bumper and grill? I'm looking for an ethical perspective before
talking to legal.

Thanks to all who respond.