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Hi, I need to upgrade my 1997 importedSWB Prado petrol as it heading past the 300k mark. I do about 30000 kms per year , 60- 100km per weekday without float, tow a braked, dble horse float 2/3 times a week, over the winter months I travel over the most remote roads and use low range to get out of muddy paddocks a few times a year. I am wondering what are best options are for replacement - budget up to 40k , don't want to do SWB again as it gets pushed around, and am not sure about petrol / diesel?? A friend recommends her Ssangyong Rexton but having been a Toyota girl I am nervous of that. Thank you

I'd agree with your thinking. From a well-proven reliability and popularity perspective, it's hard to go past a Toyota - also, a LWB vehicle is vastly superior to SWB for towing a horse float.
Regarding the petrol vs diesel debate, deisel has much more torque and is better for towing. Also, in this day and age, petrol SUV's are becoming less popular due to their high fuel consumption, and because of this, they depreciate at a much higher rate than diesels.
Your budget should buy you a good Prado diesel automatic (around 2003-2007), and it's the model we'd most highly recommend.