Is the way to go, And in your head you know that

30k will buy alot of car

25k Is my more realistic number and i just cant bring myself to spend that much on a car that has done 150,000+ or is 10 years old cause thats about all I could find in that price range.  But yes you are 100% right if I could find a Hilux at the right price I would snap it up !!!

Mate I would definately use the search function on this question as it has come up a few times and only just recently.

d22  V6  or Str 3.0 ltr diesel, the D 40 Navara has problems with clutches.Tritons are pretty good but I think the cab is the smallest of the lot.Google problems with the utes you are looking at and it gives you an insight into whats going on.The only problem 

that I have with my d22 is that Nissan dont keep alot of spare parts in the country for it (they are all ex Japan or Korea) . Parts for the d40 are easily  available.

If I was changing though I would be looking at the Toyota with a D4 engine , a very good engine but up there in the $$$$$

 look around at the navaras from 2002 till 2008 , i had the 3ltr dx and couldnt fault it. it went anywhere and they are good on fuel. should also be able to get one at a good price. not too sure on the 2.5 ltr commonrail, have been told the motor in them is great. the ford ranger has a slightly bigger cab and a bit more leg room in the back. try to keep away from any petrol ones as they tend to be a bit thirstier than the diesel. the bt50 look to be a decent 4x4. stay away from any of these cheap and nasty imports like the sang young and the great wall. they just arent built to last. the new vw 4x4 utes are great and also cheap to run but they are a bit out of your range.   whatever you go looking for get it checked out to make sure they havnt been abused off road or on the beech

one thing to add about the navara. the st model has a towing rating of 2.8 tonne and the dx has 3 tonne. not too sure on other brands

Check out Gumtree and type in Hilux Turbo. There are some older 3.0L TD Hilux's (before the common rail D4D) for around the 20k mark. I got a 2002 one and it tows my 1.4t Ally fine. Point to note though it only has a max braked tow rating of 1800kg. Something to look at in any prospective new car. Saw a couple nice ones last night for sale on gumtree. In Rockingham and Redcliffe. Love mine benefit of a Turbo. None of the common rail and electrical problems of newer 4x4s. And still simple enough to do all my own servicing.

i got a 07 Triton 3.2td put a DP Chip in it and it has some balls! and it uses bugger all fuel (9.6 L/100) also comfy to drive and there is heaps of room in the cab, front and rear leg room is great. mates have the d22 and d40 and the triton has more room than both,  if i had the money i would of got a hilux but i am very happy with the triton hasnt skipped a beat havent looked back.

for $32k drive away - with the 2.5L common rail motor which is a beaut !!

http://www.nissan.com.au/webpages/models/Navara_D22_model.html

I'm on my 2nd D40 Navara dual cab; and both have been flawless. first one was a petrol (went like the clappers but a bit thirsty when towing) I now have a ST-X diesel (140kW/450Nm) and it's been great - towed a 3t boat across from sydney no dramas. comfortable and capable !

I previously had a Hilux SR5 (2005) that went through 2 clutches and 2 thrust bearings within 20,000Km. - I wouldn't recommend a manual.....

Considering I traded my 3 year old D40 navara in for about $23k (75,000Km) - your budget should allow you to get a pretty good one I would expect - you can squeeze the dealers pretty hard at the moment as they are running out the brand new ones (making the 2nd hand ones cheaper !)

New Navara's coming out - standard ST-X now gets the V6 !!, and the ST gets the 140KW motor ! - wish that came 6 months ago...

I was looking at Hilux on carsales yesterday and remember seeing a couple under $30k.

See link: http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/compare.aspx?silo=Stock&eapi=2&vertical=Car&CT=Compare

hope it works.

recon you could get them for $27k or less as dealer sales

lada niva for you rooboy....

 no one yet has got more than 50,000 ks out of a set of tyers  as they have the worst under steer of any car i have ever driven ,and the auto boxes are the biggest piece 

of crap,  fuel economy is shiz as well 550 ks out of a 70/75 lt tank. and im a ford fan 

Thanks for all the input boys.  My brother in law has just bought a new Triton and he seems pretty happy with it i reckon after reading all the pros and cons the triton looks the way to go and you can pick up some cars with good ks and some pretty good gear on it for around 25k