The best replacement for nikon d40 is d60.

The best alternatives to nikon d40 are rated as following:
★★★★★  d60
★★★★  d40x
★★★★  d50
★★  nikon d60
★★  d70
★★  canon rebel
★  d3000
★  canon xti
★  canon rebel xt
★  nikon d80
★  canon 400d
★  sony a200
★  nikon d40x
  canon rebel xti
  nikon d50
  canon 450d
  nikon d3000
  canon rebel xs
  canon eos
  pentax k100d
  pentax k100
  rebel xti
  rebel xt

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Speaking about nikon d40, one probably shouldn't forget about vr lens.

Other search terms related to nikon d40 and their ratings are:
★★★★★ vr lens
★★★★★ battery grip
★ external flash
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nikon d40
d60
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