I’m typing this from Ohio where I live and have spent most of my life. Whenever I travel to a western state I’m amazed at the older cars I see because the same car would have rusted into memory before my birth in Ohio. The rustbelt is not kind to cars. Seeing a classic driving around with nothing worse than faded clear coat is thrilling and can be done out west with very little effort. Any car enthusiasts who are visiting the USA should absolutely start on the west coast and scribble out Miami with fervor.

These kinds of cars are elusive to someone like me. They are nearly on the other side of the country, despite what “midwest” might make you think geographically. Seeing a parked 70’s Dodge 150 in pristine condition, never restored, is unlikely to ever happen locally.

Another type of elusive car is one never sold in your market. I spent some time earlier this year in Italy with my wife. I was very excited to eat amazing food and, of course, drink the best wines. I knew that halfway through our trip I would pick up my rental car. I thought I had rented a Fiat 500, which was sold in the USDM for years, but I ended up with a Ford Puma. I had never heard of a Ford Puma. I was expecting a compact sedan or something like the 500 and the hundreds of other teeny tiny city cars we had been around in Rome. The Puma is about the size of a Focus hatch back, but taller. Maybe like a slightly smaller Escape. I found out it replaced the EcoSport, a subcompact SUV. Whatever that is.

I would consider the Puma to be like an athletic hatchback.

Such a good commuter car. And still, elusive.

I wondered why we don’t get cars like these in the USA. The closest car I could think of is the Buick Envista- just not as long. The Envista was a huge success at launch for the 2024 model year. So where are the competitors? Ford has this Puma that feels peppy, agile, ready to go. It corners well and accelerates without any complaints. It’s nimble and quiet. Of course the steering feedback is nonexistent, but I’m learning that most people actually like that. Ford also has a Ranger based SUV called the Everest (a clear 4Runner competitor) that will never see the shores of the USA. There are countless examples. But why?

Maybe it’s emissions related, or because of safety standards. Maybe the country of origin limits the profit potential in the USDM. Whatever it is, we know that there are great cars being produced and sold right now that we’ll never see on roads here at home. It’s a shame, because cars like the Puma are perfect for Americans who don’t want a low sedan or hatchback, but don’t actually need all of the room offered by SUVs.

I saw many interesting cars in Italy. Cars I had never seen in person, or even heard of. I was exposed to Chinese brands like BYD and Chery. Many cars that are sold in Europe and the USA have different names or brands entirely. Many Dodges are Fiats or Mitsubishis and Chryslers are Lancias.

If you thought I was going to write about Ferraris and Lamborghinis I’m sorry to disappoint. I’ll write about my experience at the Ferrari museum eventually. As fun as it was to spot a gold Ferrari on the first night I had much more fun sight seeing all of the regular cars.

Let me know about a car you want to experience that isn’t sold where you live or has rusted away into oblivion. Do you get more excited about regular survivors or exotics?

-Reese