Buy used S80 with issue?
 

2007 Volvo V80 V8

181k miles

$4000

Seems to be a great deal and I really want it. It seemed to drive well, except for the error "active chassis service required" that showed while driving.

Research says it could be bad wiring or sensor, or bad struts. I did get a faint thunk while making a sharp left turn that I did reproduce once more with a sharp turn, but couldn't reproduce a third time. Could have imagined them! Maybe not. Error seemed to have disappeared when I parked later.

Dealer thinks I'm crazy if I don't buy because it's a super-amazing car at a great price omg (and it is nice I agree, COOLED seats blew my mind!), but this is ALL my money. Zero will be left to fix anything that goes wrong. Zero. I will have a $4000 great-deal brick.

Should I buy? :\

you really need to have somebody with a Vida Dice scan the fault codes. you don't know if you need to replace a simple sensor or you need to replace the shocks. As to a really good deal, you should know that the active suspension cars use the 4C shocks which go for $300+ each so replacing front struts can be a $1200 job which should be factored into your purchase price.

As I suspected, thank you for the reply. ^-^

Penelope - I would agree that the suspension issue could be a pile of money. But also, it is a 12 YO car that has driven the equivalent of 7 times around the world.
People seldom sell an older car;
a) because they feel like getting a new one. Quite likely they hung on to that one until it started needing stuff.
b) at a 'steal' because they want to be nice. They want every penny (and usually then some).
c) and tell you everything, or anything, that is wrong with it. They let you discover the faults, both before and if not then, after the purchase.

Take it to a dealer or preferably an Independent Volvo specialist. - Let them go over it for you - they know what, when, and how to check it over.
If it is not a total nightmare then you may have other options. It's possible that you may be able to finance the car - $1000 down, xxx for repairs, and whatever is left for every payment until you run out. Naturally you need to have some expectations of income to make tis work but if you can make 12 to 18 months of payments in advance you can possibly make/set aside a bit every month for the balance. BTW 200,000 miles is a maintenance milestone - things will be recommended.