As seasoned campers & large dog owner we needed something bigger than the Beemer or focus..
It had to be a versatile vehicle, always wanted a 4x4 / pick-up type.
I test drove them all apart from the lpoo gay bus, I just opened the door of that an laughed.
The Navara was the last I drove, loved the look of it but knew if I drove one before the others I probably wouldn't have bothered with the rest.
How right I was, I was only in it 10mins or so and knew the Nav was the one.
The d40 does everything I chuck at it, but as much as I love it and refuse to sell it, If I'd done my homework 1st I'd have bought a D22/23 and saved some money!

 

16 yr old kid, Back To The Future movie, Michael J Fox's black and chrome Hi-Lux. 25 years later when I decided it was time to buy my first proper vehicle, I didn't fancy the looks of the latest Hi-Lux and bloke down the road had a Black D40 I thought looked the dogs. Job done. Here I am and loving it

 

in 2008 a black kingcab D40 was (imvho) the best looking most practical most fun toy with four wheels available for 20k ... and it still is! Its got a couple of gremlins but they're incurable / now part of the furniture, and I wouldn't swop it for all the tea in china ... 60k / 5odd years later and 99% hassle free motoring, very adept all- purpose truck, hard to beat in terms of style / value for money / practicality etc

just my tuppence worth!

 

I got mine as i was looking for a replacement for a 3.0 x type jag.
Wanted something big and comfy but that would be more practical for my work and that i could use to tow without worrying about killing it. Sort of ticked all the boxes.

 

as a shooting truck....simples!

 

needed something for our office cleaning business and for it to be my main personal vehicle (well after the Kawasaki 750s that is...) Had always been my favoured 4x4 vehicle and can honestly say it's been a pleasure so far. Carries all our business equipment no problem and the cabin is excellent as a day to day vehicle... Love it.

 

Wanted a big estate,always liked the look of a pickup and cheap tax too,so bought a navara

 

I looked around for a second hand truck and I prefer to buy from dealers, as they give some sort of warranty even though they are more expensive. I have a disabled 12 year old, whose pushchair (which is for off road) takes up the whole of the boot of my 5 Series, so coupled with the dogs, other kids' bikes, etc, a truck it was. The Nav is better on the road than others (not sure about the Anorak but that was never an option as it was too new and too expensive) so that was the main reason although I was open to any other make really, if the price was right.

There are too many trucks out there that have had a really hard life and have 6 figure mileage. We got a new Isuzu for the farm, and I saw that they had a 57 Aventura in stock with 59k on the clock. They knew the person who owned it previously and his business and were more than happy selling it. The tow ball is unused so I presumed that it hadn't been treated too harshly. SWMBO insisted on leather so that it can all be cleaned up, so the Aventura was perfect. I got bored of going around various dealers/garages and testing complete dogs that were hugely expensive, so I just went for it as it was there and waiting. Plus the Toyota dealership I called never bothered to return my call.

Then being surrounded by the farm, it was nice to be able to have a car that could go off road. While other trucks may or may not be better off road, what the Nav is more than capable for what I will use it for. Lastly, with a RWD car, I like to put it to bed when/if it snows. The roads around me do not get cleared (and they also flood), so I now feel more confident of getting out and about and not damaging the car on the plethora of potholes that the council come and mark up but never fill in.