I've got 3 close riding buddies (including the Mrs) with the almost-current/outgoing hightower.

An excellent up and down bike for any sort of singletrack riding, and uplifted downhilling.

But... All three also have either an XC bike, or a hardtail to compliment it. The exact split in riding time varies between them.

In contrast, I've got the previous (v4) 5010*, and do use it for pretty much all MTBing, my hardtail having been relegated to gravel-commuting, the occasional XC racing, and this years HOTS. And I think its going to be gravel only from now on unless I can sort out my issues with it, just not finding it enjoyable on singletrack when I know in the back of my mind I'd be having more fun on the 5010.

*which as I found out a few weeks ago on a similar discussion, has geo very similar to Sam Hill's Iron Horse - so no worries about its descending capabilities. 

It was great as a second bike as a change from my enduro bike. It was super nimble and flew off anything, great fun on just about any trail. 

I sold it because I now have just 1 pedal bike, and the 5010 isn't what I want for that. It's great to make old trails fun again, or to spice up a slower ride. But for my riding level it's just too hyperactive to make riding enduro and downhill trails fast a fun experience. It feels fun if you hold back and play, but less rewarding amd too bouncy if you open it fully up. YMMV. Can you demo one? My old one is probably for sale at Pedal Syndicate now.

FWIW I'm now on a Druid 29 which pedals better, is much more fun to ride fast, but I feel is marginally less intuitive to pop and jump.

SC deals are still out there but not as commonplace, e.g. Hightower in XL with 45% off: linky.

I agree there's quite a bit of overlap in the SC range but try not to overthink it - Hightower is likely still the pick of the range for an all-rounder with enduro leanings (with the Tallboy being the same but 'opposite', i.e. with XC leanings).

I know right. Weren't the Santa Cruz 5010 base model less than 3k at Stif not long ago?? No such bargains at the moment. I've found some used ones at £2k or so but I'm quite reluctant to buy a used carbon mountain bike.

After much research I think it might end up being the Specialized, as much as I'd love a Santa Cruz, the different bikes are confusing and there seems to be too much nuance and overlap, I'm sure I'd always wonder if I got the wrong one. At least with the Stumpjumper it's pretty much the one option of a do-it-all bike - it's not an Enduro and it's not an Epic. Simple. Plus you seem to get better value for your money when looking at the parts and hardware.

Basically, get the one that you'll enjoy more most of the time.

Or look for another bike with 130ish rear travel and split the difference instead. 130R/150F bikes can be really versatile IME.