Best comeback to Magnum PI / 3x8 passive aggressive comments?

I get the Magnum references all of the time. My favorite was someone shouting: "Where's Higgins?!" It still tickles me to this day.

Whatever the reaction or comment, I smile politely.

 

I don't understand the problem. It -is- a part of the car's gestalt.

I think driving away in YOUR FERRARI is enough of a win, don't you?

 

I used to own a 328 - a car I thoroughly enjoyed.

That car also got way more attention (and a few tickets) than my 512 BBi or 612. Primarily because of the Magnum PI show and the 328's uncanny relation to its 308 predecessor. I could not go anywhere without people noticing it. Most of the comments were very positive.

The only negatives were avoiding those tucked into my blind spot, so they can look at the car without me noticing, and the annoying stop-light challenges.

The only time someone ever asked me if I had a "kit car" was the 512 BBi Boxer, which had the Red-Black paint scheme.

Ironically, I believe the 328 has distinction of being the only 8-cylinder model to actually be out-sold by it's contemporary 12-cylinder equivalent - the TR.

 

I received a Magnum PI comment in my Boxer. They just know it "looks swoopy like Magnum's car", so it must be the same.

 

You are right that 99% of the time these questions come from a negative place. 99% of the time I just laugh at these people because I know a real car enthusiast would ask how you like it, whats it like to drive, want to talk about the beauty or engine, etc. Life is too short for the "haters"- but if you want some comebacks...

I think you could just ask: "what are you talking about?"

That would return the question to them and now its entirely up to them to explain themselves.

I don't have a 3x8, but the question I find most annoying: "how much?"

My usual responses:

"I don't know"
"Why does that matter?"
"Why? You want to buy it?"
"How often do you see one of these and the first thing you ask is price?"

 

"Magnum WHO??? Don't know him."

 

When I got that once I said "I know.. I have to grow a stache' now.. " and put my index finger above my upper lip. Everyone laughed.

 

There's a guy on YouTube who makes videos of the reactions he gets driving around Toronto in his 430. Some are funny. Some are so rude and obnoxious they're hilarious.

Most people think every Ferrari is worth at least $500k. People (who aren't car lovers) react weirdly to that sometimes.

I usually just say "thanks" to the nice ones, and "ok" to the negative ones.

 

Why stoop to their level and possibly antagonise the situation?

I'd rather show a bit of class, simply give them a slight smile and then just walk/drive away!

 

How many people own a Firebird Trans Am can people call them "The Bandit"?

I owned an Alfa Spider. I can't tell you how many people said "just like Dustin Hoffman in the Graduate"

Deal with it.

 

when I had my 328...it garnered all kinds of attention and comments (mostly good, with the occasional finger in the interstate). Where I live...mine was the first Ferrari they'd ever even seen in their life...and probably the last...something they'll remember.

It never bothered me enough to go outta my way to make any kind of counter point or "stand" to whatever shtick one choose to approach me with about the car. It never occurred to me to one-up 'em.

Just play along to get along and get done...was my MO.

I really liked the children. A mom asked if it would be ok if she got a pic of her kid with the car. Makes ya feel good. did me

 

Mostly, people ask, "Alfa? Who makes that?".

An entire generation "grew up" (sic) while Alfa was absent from the US.

 

Yeah. It's a compliment.

 

Have some business cards made saying robin masters, author
give them out telling folks it's my car I just let magnum drive it

 

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I still remember when Magnum let Mack drive it, and it blew up with Mack in it.

 

I've never heard the comment other than enthusiastically but I personally hate the reference (never watched the program, didn't even understand the reference the first time). Now if someone came up and mentioned Lauda in connection with the 308, I'd probably offer them a ride!

 

What...are you kidding?? It's a total compliment! Smile, wave and toot your horn a coupe of times.

My first Ferrari was a 308..... because of Magnum PI ! I used to watch it after school doing my homework. It was already in syndication by the time I was introduced to the show.

I have a Testarossa because of Miami Vice. When I get the Crockett or Tubbs ( I'm a brown guy ) I take it as a total compliment.
How many people recognize a car from 30 year old tv shows? I think it's cool that these cars are icons in the lexicon of pop culture history.

I do get the odd batman at my Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster...but nothing like the 308 and Testarossa.

Shamile

Freeze. . . Miami Vice!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

The show last aired 29 years ago and it really isn't that highly syndicated if you stop and think about it. Even that has seemed to disappear, at least with my cable provider.

So any reference usually comes from me. I find myself telling the guy at the gas station this was the model used on Magnum PI and 9 times out of 10 I just get a blank stare if they are under 35. They have never heard of it and if they have they haven't seen it.

 

I agree with this post.

 

Yeah, sure. Like THAT car has ever been driven!

 

There was a time...... there are legends of many moons ago......

 

Twice I've been asked if my GT/4 was "That Back To The Future" car. Magnum doesn't seem that bad.

 

I own a 1986 3.2 Mondial Cabriolet, and no one ever asks if it's a "Magnum PI" car. Which is too bad because the prior owner of this car, Mike Post, wrote the theme music to "Magnum, PI". He also wrote theme music to lots of other popular TV shows. Talk about a small world...

Philippe

 

Magnum!!! Those ice cream bars are the best!!!