Simple to service car...

[fdcg27]

How 'bout a mid eighties Civic?
Don't think there's a much better combination of simplicity, good driving dynamics, maintainability and fuel economy.
Oh, wait.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
My BMW 2002; if it was a tii with A/C I'd drive it 100% of the time...


I could tune my '72 2002 with just a screwdriver....and a paperclip to measure the plug and points' gaps.

 

[justalubetech]

I'd like to get another Geo Metro .... literally everything on that car was insanely easy to service, it was efficient and had enough power to keep up with freeway traffic (with a 5-speed lol)

 

[Stag]

I agree with some others about the Mercedes W123 or 124 chassis cars. But let me add another Euro sled....er box. The Volvo 240 was made from the 70's through 1993. Some meticulously maintained specimens are still available. There are plenty of used and new parts still available.

 

[barkingspider]

Old s10 pick up trucks are pretty simple to work on and parts are available. Any Chevy or Ford truck from the early 80s - 2000s as parts are plenty. 90s Toyota corolla / geo Prizm are simple and cheap plus they get great gas mileage and the engines are bullet proof. When I have time, I'm probably going do a restoration on a 90s Chevy w a 350 v8.

 

[ledslinger]

The trade off of simplicity vs parts availability makes this idea unpractical. Simplicity won't give you as high of quality daily driver as later cars can. I think you reach the closest to your parameters by adding some electronics and complexity. Many have suggested 70's and 80's cars which have nightmarish early emission controls applied to carbed engines. As noted by Mykl, some of the most complex and difficult electronics are on the last carbed engines. Fuel injected is much more user friendly.

I think the closest you may come is an early 80's Celica, or as suggested by Stag a Volvo 240. 2.5 Chrysler too.