Is this a reliable, basically problem FREE year for a 1999 Honda Civic Coupe to buy used?
There is no free year for any old used vehicle regardless of brand. If there was the selling price would be astronomical .
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Civics tend to have better than average reliability, but you’re talking about a near 20 year old car. At that point the model becomes less important, and the way it’s been maintained over the years becomes more important.
@FoDaddy I agree; the make of a car is less important at that age than the care it has received so far. My mother in law sold her 1994 Cavalier, a mediocre car at best, but well cared for in 2014 and it ran well and the new owner was very happy with it.
A 1999 Civic has to be inspected by a competent mechanic and you need proof that the timing belt was changed on time.
Any 20 year old car without a pre-sale inspection is a real crapshoot!
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My 1999 Civic EX sedan is the best car I’ve ever had and is running great at 179,000+ miles. I have kept up with maintenance and occasional repairs and it’s time for another timing belt and water pump. Also brought it back from dead/totaled this past winter with mostly DIY work.
Downside is lots of old Civics have been neglected, misused and modified, usually badly. I wouldn’t buy any 1999 era Civic I see around these days.
Must have been the LeBron model.
In my part of the country, rust would be an issue on a car 19 years old. The first thing to check would be the undercarriage for rust.
Without knowing the particulars about a specific car, I’d just about guarantee you’ll have problems with a 1999 car. Whether they are many or few, minor or major remains to be determined.
If you want basically problem FREE then buy a car covered by warranty and have full coverage insurance that includes rental car coverage. Otherwise, reserve some money to go along with the 99 ANY CAR.
CSA 
Great car! An inspection is in order