It's common amongst any car this age to have lots of quirks. Lancers tend to have more fragile suspensions and MAF and idle air control valve issues. Civic issues are limited to the radiator and occassionally, the VTEC solenoid.
I prefer the Civic. Better handling, better suspension, bullet-proof engine. Just don't get an automatic. Old Honda matics are crap.
That said, it doesn't matter which car you get, as long as it's in better condition than the other cars you look at. And that should be the deciding factor. Doesn't matter if what you get is a Toyota or a Honda, if it's in crap condition, it'll bring you nothing but trouble.