If you don't really need an suv, don't buy one.
If you live in the city, fuel average sucks. Imo, if you have the budget, try to go for something like an AWD Sportage. Thats sort of an all around type vehicle and they are relatively new.
We bought a 3.2 shogun as a highway cruiser, UK import that was used by the UK embassy and German embassy afterwards so luckily it was kept with care. We were also considering prados which were way over priced, first gen fortuners, surfs and pajeros. Pajero and surf were my top two choices. Pajero/shogun were the most value for money. However, finding parts is tough and not every mechanic knows how to fix. Even with that, I absolutely love our shogun. The ride comfort, drive, handling and power of the 3.2 is very nice for its class. I drove the fortuner for less than half a block and wanted to get out.
I was happy with buying used since I can fix most things myself. After buying, I changed the transmission fluid as it seemed a bit darker red than I'd like. Spent 3x 12,000 per 4L of genuine mitsubishi sp-iii fluid. Shifts like butter. Got new tires, changed the air filters, bought a couple of genuine diesel filters which I'll be changing every 10k. Planning on doing the diffs, transfer case and brake fluid next.
My point is, you can't just buy a used car and expect it to be perfect with no maintenance. Keep that in your budget, or buy brand new.
If you don't know much about cars, get a pre purchase inspection and all the pre buying used car checks you should.
Also, if you don't go offroad much, you don't really need 4wd. I put ours in through 4wd hi and lo just to keep things working.
Also, expect most vehicles in that price range to have reversed meters. There is VERY little chance that a 2003 prado can have 120,000 Kms or less. Average 20,000kms per year and in 2023 it would actually have around 400k unless it was used very little and there's proof to that.
So my advice, buy new. If you can't and are dead set on a used suv, please do your research, homework and get it inspected from a trusted mechanic before buying.
I also had a 2003 surf in Canada (called the 4runner over there). It had the 4.7 v8. Nice power but I hated the seating position. It was always weird and annoying to get in and out of. Kind of like the distance between the floor and roof is 'shorter' than other SUVs in its class.
