I would say that reasoning shows how serious the potential buyer is. Move on. Buy a factory car, not a swapped car from the 90's. If you are that picky about something as superficial as the front plate, then trust me there will be other things bigger than that to keep you from buying a purpose built car like this. If this truly is all the issue is, then yah, offer $1k less, he will accept, then shave the front bumper and paint it.