consumer grade miniDV - HDV format - camcorder is the Sony HDR-HC9 (no native 24p, but Sony's simulated version of "Cineframe".

With Canon, the jump is from the HV40 to the XHA1 - and beyond. With Sony, there's the HVR-HD1000, HDR-FX7, HVR-A1U and HDR-FX1000. None do native 24p...

None of these are (new) will meet your budget requirement. Assuming the (used) HV40 has not been used a lot is in good shape and everything is in working order, it is a good camcorder.