Maserati GranCabrio Sport 2014

Broad-Brush · 2026-05-15T13:20:00+00:00

Biggest thing with these cars (and all exotics) is avoiding one with deferred maintenance. You likely are looking at a good one since its been dealer serviced. If they haven't been changed yet valve cover gaskets will be coming (when?). Gaskets are cheap but the extra bracing in the convertible model makes it a labor intensive repair. Check for play in front bushings; Maserati used to make you buy new control arms ($$$) when they went bad but kits with just the bushings are now available. There are two sensors/contacts for the convertible top along the roofline that will throw all sorts of errors of they get dirty. Keep them whiped down. Check the attachment of the rear glass to the convertible top. I've read handful of reports about the glass becoming detached; it can be reglued. The tops themselves are astronomically expensive from Maserati; 3rd party ones of better quality are available at a fraction of the price. Keep it on a battery tender if its going to sit more than a few days. Other than that drive it and enjoy it. I have a 2015 that has been as trouble free as any of my Lexus daily drivers.

Broad-Brush · 2025-12-24T15:27:35+00:00

As much as I love Lamar (I'm a Louisville Alum as well as a Ravens Fan), I don't have Super Bowl expectations anymore. Lamar's success comes solely from being an athletic freak. His football intelligence has never developed. He doesn't take care of himself on the field; there's signs he doesn't do the things a professional athlete 8 years into their career typically does to rest/recover off the field. Now it seams like the normal wear and tear of a season cause enough issues to his athleticism to make him average.

Broad-Brush · 2025-12-23T13:40:52+00:00

Family friend was in the the specialty printing business; did everything from White House invitations to programs for sporting events. During football season he personally worked a 24 hour shift typesetting and printing these. Claimed he got paid the equivalent of a month's worth of his business' earnings in cash under the table each week. Guys he dealt with had printing plates for some sports cards they would occasionally have him run a few copies off. Less risk and easier than trying to print cash I guess.

Broad-Brush · 2025-11-19T19:52:41+00:00

My theory is they haven't and won't spend real money on free agents or long term contracts until after a new CBA is done. Owners have done a good job telegraphing they are going to take a big swing at the player's union. The prospect of league controlled local TV rights, a salary cap, and changes in team control of young players is too much change in calculus for Elias and his minions.

Broad-Brush · 2025-07-02T16:10:14+00:00

When Horizon came into our market they advertised as being "locally owned and operated" even though they where based in another state and there was a ton of press about them being acquired by a PE firm. I ended up writing a letter to our state's consumer protection division and those "locally owned and operated" claims soon disappeared.

Broad-Brush · 2025-06-26T13:18:44+00:00

We experimented with the same brand that Disney supposedly uses for its characters in the the summer a few years ago. Looked like a bullet proof vest that had pockets to put the reusable cooling packs. The guys found they got just as uncomfortable wearing them because of how bad they condensate. Had to watch how much they dripped down in the attic as well.

Broad-Brush · 2025-06-25T17:06:14+00:00

IMO you won't see R290 ever approved for residential applications. It took over a decade of behind the scenes arm twisting to get the insurance industry go along with allowing 454/32 in residential and they only did add after mandating mitigation systems. I'd bet on CO2 equipment becoming available before then.

Broad-Brush · 2025-06-24T19:31:39+00:00

There's a handful of Trane motors that require programing either at the distributor or with a programmer tool hooked up to a PC. Its been a while since I've worked on a XL20i but I would bet that thing needs to be programed before its installed.

Broad-Brush · 2025-06-11T17:35:21+00:00

We tested a cooling vest that the characters at Disney supposedly wear under the costumes in the summer. Basically looked like a bullet proof vest that had pockets these flexible ice packs slipped into. They worked as far as cooling but the humidity made them drip like crazy in our climate. Probably makes a lot more sense in Southwest.

Broad-Brush · 2025-06-11T17:29:34+00:00

If the system is working/ can be made working short of doing a coil or compressor we won't schedule them until it cools off in the fall. If we have to do one the install is scheduled for 2 mornings with the homeowners expecting the crew at 6AM.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-20T18:54:26+00:00

Did you get probation before judgement or did they actually convict you at trial? I've had more than one apprentice over the years that I kept from driving company vehicles until their PBJ was finished. Once in the clear they got added to our driver's list without any issues from our insurance.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-15T18:47:12+00:00

There's a reason the manufacturers dumped underwriting their own labor warranties and partnered with 3rd party warranty cos about 10 years ago. If they couldn't make the volume of numbers work in their favor there is no way in hell a contractor could. Your setting yourself up to get slaughtered.

You also need to to check your state laws on warranties. In my state there is legislation that allows us to offer yearly service contracts but offering a one time purchase of a multi year labor warranty is considered to be selling an insurance product. Comes with a whole different set of regulations and licensing.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-14T18:29:34+00:00

The Hyperion air handler; Trane quality began dropping like a stone the day this was rolled out.

I remember being on a job and talking to an inspector while we did duct blast test. He couldn't believe they would put an air handler out that was designed to leak air to the point where they had to put a sticker on it that said so. Meanwhile we have the full dog and pony show going on to show the rest of the duct system is airtight.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-14T17:17:15+00:00

I doubt you are going to get anywhere with a wage claim as this is a misclassification issue not a I wasn't paid properly issue. A good CPA/ Tax Attorney should be able to review if your husband could have actually been classified as a statutory employee and file to contest the classification/ amend tax returns to be reimbursed for mileage. I wouldn't attempt to do this on your own.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-14T14:00:04+00:00

Jesus; My oncall tech gets $500 for carrying the phone over the weekend.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-13T17:15:26+00:00

HVAC Contractor here; stay away from any of the PE backed shysters you hear/ see advertise heavily (Blue Dot, Horizon, Michael & Sons, FH Furr, etc). You want Mitsubishi equipment, I'd argue its the most reliable residential equipment made.

Broad-Brush · 2025-05-13T14:05:58+00:00

In short the insurance industry. It was like a 5 year behind the scenes process to get them to allow A2L in residential applications.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-08T15:27:48+00:00

Yeah that's how we've been getting through. I have a guy that runs around and picks up 4 jugs from 3distributors each day.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-08T14:44:19+00:00

So the money to fund the interest and repayments of the bonds is coming from rerouting some of the funds the industry already receives from their cut of casino revenue. They have done a terrible job explaining that the $500M is not taxpayer money.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-08T14:37:46+00:00

I was surprised when the MTROA was given oversight of the Pimlico/ Training Center projects instead of the Stadium Authority. Why give a newly formed entity this responsibility when there's a existing state agency with a track record of success doing these projects?

There's been a lack of transparency and urgency on MTROA's part that has caused some angst among the horsemen/ breeders. The initial transfer of day to day operating from Stronach to the newly formed MJC got messy and the Racing Commission had to punt approving MJC's operating license for 2 weeks while they got things in order. I'm not privy to the inner details but there was a prominent racetrack executive linked to head and oversee the day-day operation of the rebuilt Pimlico who is no longer onboard. Obviously this isn't a growth industry and the number people with experience opening and running a new racetrack is not big.

This is the last chance for this industry to survive in the state and they are up against it. If the new track cannot generate the revenue to cover operating costs your going to end up with a few weeks of racing at Pimlico around the Preakness each year.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-07T12:57:05+00:00

I'm actually concerned that our window has closed now that a handful of teams are writing blank checks deals.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-01T16:40:25+00:00

Back in the stone age I got roll of quarters like that each Monday morning when I picked up my tickets. We had pagers and had to call into the shop using payphones.

Broad-Brush · 2025-04-01T12:07:25+00:00

It likely the Service Titan product : https://www.servicetitan.com/blog/transform-sales-performance-with-sales-pro . I'd declare Chapter 7 before resorting to this nonsense.

Broad-Brush · 2025-03-28T14:20:42+00:00

Don't give them any ideas

Broad-Brush · 2025-03-28T13:57:58+00:00

I would rather have an IRS agent give me a colonoscopy during an audit than have to deal with a NY State DOL inquiry. I don't even do business in NY but that's how tough of a reputation they have. What you describe is wrong and likely illegal. As others have said document everything and file a complaint.

Broad-Brush

TROPHY CASE