[BahamaTodd]

This should be interesting:

What have you previously and currently owned, and why are you interested in the Santa Cruz?

Previously owned:
1993 Mazda Protege
2006 VW Jetta diesel

Currently owned:
2004 GMC Canyon 4WD
2008 Honda Accord coupe V6 manual

The Protege was my first car which I had out of high school. In my second year of college in Michigan I bought the GMC new and I've had it ever since. That worked well in the snow, and I also did some offroading. Moved to Florida and I got the diesel Jetta used for a daily driver since I was driving 150 miles a day (the 40+ mpg came in handy). The Accord was originally my mom's, and when I moved closer to work, I sold the Jetta and bought the Accord so I could have something a little more fun. My brother currently has my truck and he gets much more use out of it since he works on boats.

I compete in masters swimming, running and triathlons, so several times a week I'm carrying wet, sandy, dirty, swimming equipment or my road bike. I only have the Accord readily at my disposal so although it does have the room to carry my things it is not suited for it. I don't have any heavy hauling or towing needs, so a fuel efficient vehicle with an open bed would be useful.

I would also like to keep a two vehicle fleet to satisfy my need for something fun to drive. With a regular truck you give up fuel efficiency for versatility. With the Santa Cruz you get fuel efficient utility which can work well as a daily driver, and leaves room for something fun. I've also been eyeing the new Camaro SS.

 

[Cruizin]

Previously owned and still driving a Toyota 2005 Rav4. It's still running fine but it's just so old!
Think it's time for an upgrade and I want more trunk space just so I have it if there's ever a need.

Last time I went camping with my Rav4, we packed up the trunk so tight part of the back window was covered thus reducing my visibility. Never want to do that again.

 

[Santana]

Had a 99 Tacoma years ago, and ever since been in Toyota Camry's and Honda Accord's, looking to get back into trucks again and the Santa Cruz could be it.

 

[Cruizin]

I see one 99 Tacoma without the back seats and one with. Did you get the additional back seat trim?

 

[Santana]

I see one 99 Tacoma without the back seats and one with. Did you get the additional back seat trim?

I had what they called 'jump seats'

 

[Colin]

I had a Mercury Grand Marquis in highschool. It was red, inside and out.

I'm looking for something that I can drive in the city, but still has a good amount of space to use for errands, heading up to the cottage, helping friends move, etc...

 

[arizonite]

I'm not exactly in their target demographics. 75 and retired but my daily driver '14 Wrangler JK is up for sale if they will build the Santa Cruz. We also have a '12 Azera Tech sitting in the side of the garage for long haul driving. Over 65+ years of driving (farm kid) I have driven or owned a sample of most everything you can think of. The Santa Cruz looks to be a great fun/run around vehicle.

Arizonite

 

[Santana]

I had a Mercury Grand Marquis in highschool. It was red, inside and out.

I'm looking for something that I can drive in the city, but still has a good amount of space to use for errands, heading up to the cottage, helping friends move, etc...

Those things are the best, always wanted one (specifically a P71) just to mess around with. It helps even more that police agencies are getting a whole new line up of police cars from Ford and FCA.

 

[Thomas B Hill]

Current list: Dodge Ram 2500 diesel, Mitsubishi 1995 gas mighty max, Honda Insight 2000, 5 speed, 199 6 BMW m3
Favorite and best ever truck or car!####Mitsubishi turbodiesel in 1984-1991 BEST TRUCK EVER owned! 40+ mpg"s!! hit and totaled after 550,000+ miles, removed engine and installed it in a 4wd Ram 50 gas truck for another 200,000+ miles then traded on a Mitsubishi v6 gas truck. (Diesels unavailable, unfortunately)

This would be the "perfect storm" vehicle IMHO. It if inexpemsive, will get others into the turbo diesel scene and realization of mpg's possible, and reliability of diesels, also.
May buy a frontier if diesel is offered first, though...

 

[JK43123]

Had to sell my '91 Dakota after 20 years. Loved it and want another. Drove a new Dakota and felt like I was driving a tank! Santa Cruz is closest to what I want, small and good fuel economy but useful bed that extends.

 

[Santana]

Had to sell my '91 Dakota after 20 years. Loved it and want another. Drove a new Dakota and felt like I was driving a tank! Santa Cruz is closest to what I want, small and good fuel economy but useful bed that extends.

Are there any other trucks on the market that interests you? Ones that could be a possible alternative to the SC?

 

[Stalker]

Previous: '73 455 Trans Am 4 sp (great fun)
'78 Honda Accord Hatchback (manual)
'85 Toyota 4X4 (2.4 ltr. 4, manual)

Current: '90 Eagle Talon AWD, Turbo, 5 Sp, 300+ hp
'00 Tacoma, 3.4 ltr. V-6, ext cab, TRD, 4X4, 19-26 mpg
'11 Camaro, LS7(427 cu in, 505 hp) 6 sp (manual) capable of up to 26 mpg

My Eagle is mostly a track toy & I love it, the Camaro is my daily driver (lots of fun), the Tacoma is my work (furniture, appliance, etc mover) & fun off road - dirt, rock, sand - PU. The Tacoma is great but it's getting old, loud hwy road noise, lacks most modern creature comforts. Would love to replace it with the Santa Cruz, the current & ever since 2006 Tacoma's are mid size pu's can't get compacts any more unless Hyundai comes thru.

 

[James E Dandy]

previous:
74 maverick
81 prelude
65 falcon hdtp
87 accord
87 supra
93 f150
89 saleen mustang

current:
2003 baja
64 falcon conv

 

[Kevin]

Have a Dak

Have a 06 4dr dakota ,would like to have something at least with awd ,3 or so doors with power and mileage (the dakota is terrible in that respect ) if it will carry 1000# in the bed ,thats all i am asking,would like the diesel or turbo gas engine and of coursed reliable .

 

[don4331]

previous:
'68 F-100 4x4 (w/ 428 under hood) <Still own it, but it no longer moves under its own power >.
'76 Colt
'82 Omni (VW 1.7l under hood - indestructible)
'88 S-10 (1st new vehicle)
'88 S-10 Blazer (lemon)
'94 Ranger s/c
'94 Explorer
'92 Yamaha FZR
'98 Ranger (now daughter's truck)
'02 Focus SVT
'05 S-10 Blazer
'98 Ranger s/c 4x4 + '98 Ranger 4x2 (331 V-8)

Not an automatic on list!

Need something that hauls mountain bike in summer, hockey bag in winter; sheet of plywood/few 2x4s,etc. Doesn't flinch at few cm of snow or a little mud (parent's farm is 15km from pavement).

Wife's '10 Escape will need to be replace by '20, and I need some time in between for the savings to recover...

 

[Santana]

previous:
'68 F-100 4x4 (w/ 428 under hood) <Still own it, but it no longer moves under its own power >.
'76 Colt
'82 Omni (VW 1.7l under hood - indestructible)
'88 S-10 (1st new vehicle)
'88 S-10 Blazer (lemon)
'94 Ranger s/c
'94 Explorer
'92 Yamaha FZR
'98 Ranger (now daughter's truck)
'02 Focus SVT
'05 S-10 Blazer
'98 Ranger s/c 4x4 + '98 Ranger 4x2 (331 V-8)

Not an automatic on list!

Need something that hauls mountain bike in summer, hockey bag in winter; sheet of plywood/few 2x4s,etc. Doesn't flinch at few cm of snow or a little mud (parent's farm is 15km from pavement).

Wife's '10 Escape will need to be replace by '20, and I need some time in between for the savings to recover...

What do you guys think about the new Escape? I've been hearing mixed feedback about it.

 

[Jay_LHD3]

Current: '11 Camaro, LS7(427 cu in, 505 hp) 6 sp (manual) capable of up to 26 mpg

Fyi... unless you did a engine swap, the LS7 - Camaro Z/28 would be a 2014-2015 model. Even the ZL1 Camaro wasn't out til the 2012 model.

If your car says LS on the back that doesn't mean it's a LS7!

No hating here, just stating the facts.

 

[Jay_LHD3]

Previous Owned:
1988 Mazda B2000
1990 Pontiac Sunbird
1995 Chevrolet Cheyenne 1500
2004 Hyundai Tiburon GT

Currently Own:
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

I don't have a need for a truck but would like something with a few more options for the Home Depot runs or trips to the creek.

 

[don4331]

What do you guys think about the new Escape? I've been hearing mixed feedback about it.

My feedback would be mixed too.

I hate the transmission (the new multi speed automatics seem to need to shift 3+ gears whenever I need power and I wanted power then, not 3 shifts later.); the two position visors (up or down), the tiny radio controls on steering wheels (I can palm a volley ball), the rear seat latches which protrude into cargo space when seat is lowered, and anti skid usually kicks in after I have corrected would be my peeves.

On the plus side, it gets better mileage than Windstar, easier on brakes, heated seats are real nice in Canadian winters, as is AWD. My wife really likes it; but then she is closer to 'average' size..

 

[Santana]

Have heard similar things about the transmission. sounds like they'll be better off to switch suppliers and find something better, if there's one area they should improve on that will be it. Now to see them do exactly that.