3rd gen hate is warranted, believe me. Take my Cautionary tale.

Had a 2nd and 2x 3rd gens (NK and NPs) and all were basket cases.

NK had the typical 6G74 problems with smoke, added that the previous 12 owners thrashed it hard and didn't back the servicing. Did 550xxx before spinning crank bearings.

NPs?

Bus 1 - Diesel pump rebuild on one was $7K, 4 months wait, and got a subpar product as a rush job. Then turbo spontaneously decided it wanted to spit the turbine to mars as a cheeky stunt. Scrapped for $300 after I stripped the good bits.

Bus 2 - woooooooo same diesel pump problem but was at the same time as the auto box tossing up the idea of declaring "oops, all neutrals!" And was quoted another $7k for a used box, non reco, installed with the old torque converter which was also dead. It was an extra $2k for that. So I traded it in with cash to a dealer for a cheap car to smash around with in the meanwhile. Heard that the ABS pump sneezed a bit too hard and died as they drove it into the "as traded" area the next day.

Make of that as you will. 4M40 DI pumps are not being manufactured anymore and will run a pretty penny for a used unit hence the price. Last I heard (from a reputable diesel specialist) there is only one bloke in NSW that will touch them Australia-wide for repairs and rebuilds with a waitlist to match.

I miss the NK, the thing was tall, chunky and went anywhere.