2000 4runner 5000$

Hello there I just arrived in San Antonio area and looking for a reliable ride

I found this that looks pretty clean but wonder if it's a scam .. Let me know what you think.

He said the back tires needs to be changed. I m pretty sure he rolled back the odometer but if it runs...

 

Welcome to the forum, Clean looking 4runner by the pictures. Have you checked it out or had another shop check it out at this point?

I wonder how you can manipulate the digital odometer?

 

No I haven't go see it now. I m gonna go see a bunch tomorrow around 5k$ 200k miles. Listed are nothing wrong haha I doubt it but .... What should I be looking for? Last belt change?

 

From my experience with my own 2001 4Runner, just from the picture I'm suspecting it leaks oil badly (see photo attached), so you'd want to take a look at that. It could also be the power steering rack is leaking, but they put down something (cardboard?) to cover up the oil stains on the driveway under the 4Runner. May not be from that 4runner but you gotta check it out.
If you have an OBDII scanner, you can use that to see if any codes have been just cleared making the MIL (check engine light) go out, thus hiding any obvious codes the vehicle may be throwing. This would show up as "incomplete" emissions tests for the Cats, EVAP, O2's, which require a certain drive cycle to be performed. If they drive it long enough the code they're trying to hide will likely show up again.
You can also use the scanner to check the engine's fuel trims which gives an indication of how well its running. If the owner can't tell (or show) you that the timing belt has been changed recently, you'll need to be planning on doing that since 200K miles means it should have been done twice by now. Also, get the motor warmed up when test driving it, make sure it doesn't overheat! When its hot, check the coolant overflow to see if any bubbling from the pressure release hose from the radiator - basically checking if any head gasket issues there.
Other things to check with a vehicle that old is do you see any oil stains on the inboard side of the rear wheels or on the backing plate where the wheels connect to the axle, those rear axle seals are known to be leaky.
$5K is not a lot, but you may end up putting another $5K into getting the typical issues that these older 4Runners have, fixed.
Good luck!