was thinking this too. i have a 2005 mazda3 with 165k miles on it that i bought for $18k at the time. still on stock clutch, stock engine, gets 27-30mpg on cheap gas. great ROI.
with some new shocks and wheel bearings it'll probably make it another 70k or more.
Before my volvo v70 went, it was just a shade under 250000 miles, and got 53mpg (UK gallons) not bad for a 2002 diesel car. Almost entirely original parts, only major thing that broke was the aircon and you can get by without that in the UK. Stupidly comfy to drive and a bargain at £2000, shame it lasted only 2 years.
i bought the car to go places, not because i wanted to own a car. fuel is what makes everything go places. is it that shocking that the propellant itself (a consumable, as opposed to a rapidly depreciating asset) would be the main expense?
with some new shocks and wheel bearings it'll probably make it another 70k or more.