Thread: Replacement ute advice

I'm thinking of upgrading my ute. Currently have a 2005 Mazda bounty with 275k on the clock. Doesn't miss a beat and drives great. I brought this ute just to see if I'd actually get use out of one and yes I use it a lot. So I've confirmed the use case and thinking it might be time for something a bit more modern but I don't want to sell a reliable ute and get a lemon.
I basically only use the ute for hunting but still mostly on road with a bit of sedate 4x4 driving at destination. Also often take it on holiday with kayaks on the roof rack.
Budget is about 25k and currently quite like the triton around 2017/2018 models. No fixed opinion on auto or manual current ute is manual but drive autos off road for work often and they are equal in terms of pluses and minuses to me.
I not a "ute guy" so no fixed ideas on brand but the later model hiluxes I have driven have awfully harsh rides on road compared to other brands I've driven.
What do you reckon/ what's the advice?