Your dad is right, 145K is a lot of miles, on the other hand if I had to pick one vehicle that can outlast any other in distance, it would be a Volvo, but lets not forget there is a lemon in every batch, and while $4000. may not seem like a lot for a car, it is still heavy money should you end up with a lemon.
For you to ask a question in my forum, I am sure you have looked at some steps how to buy a car ?, The volvo you got in mind is there a link ? I can look at ?