Tomorrow is the big day ;o)
05-04-07, 09:28 AM
#201
yeahhh.... so I've decided to go with a twin turbo set-up.... I figure I'll get the car sorted out in NA form first then start thinking about a nice non-laggy 10PSI setup. In the mean time I think I need to take more welding classes or find someone local who won't charge an arm and a leg and take 5 months ;o)
06-09-07, 09:10 AM
#202
I just thought I'd share an epiphany that I had as a result of some thinking and research.... My car/s has been sitting on jacks for the last few years, no doubt, because I am self one-upper. Every time I think I happy with where I am just readjust my expectations and end up committing myself deeper into the project as means of achieving satisfaction with the end product. What I realize now is that the FD addiction is not about the end, but the process. I receive utility from the progression of my car and so I keep one-upping myself. Meanwhile, everyone else is displaying the same behavior so our vehicles and expectations all move upwards in tandem deeming our attempts at one-upsmanship futile. It turns out in fact that this is just human nature at work. The way that we behave with our cars is no different than they way society behaves in general. I wrote a paper concerning this issue that I thought I would share to perhaps provide a little insight into the RX-7 addiction. The paper is about consumption, but the point is directly applicable to our hobby. Keep in mind that it's only a rough draft, so it may have typos and such, but feel free to give it a read and then evaluate your own behavior.
TOPIC
"Discuss the theoretical and empirical evidence in support or otherwise of the notion that utility is not a function of current consumption."-Simon
INTRODUCTION
This paper is not going to unrealistically propose that wealth has no correlation with utility. It is indeed common sense, and empirically validated, that those agents currently living in abject poverty or on the bread line would experience a significant increase in quality of life and utility as a result of substantially increased current consumption. Moreover, it is not the aim of this paper to say that wealth has no bearing on education, health and family life; all proven sources of lasting utility (Easterlin 32). What this paper will argue, however, is that above a certain wage threshold, the utility resulting as a function of current consumption become progressively transient and will continue to be transient as long as agents adjust their reference points and ambitions. In order to understand why utility above a certain income level is fleeting, it is necessary prerequisite to understand why we consume. The knee jerk response to this question is of course that we consume to increase our utility. While that response is surely correct, it really only touches the surface of the question at hand. This paper will present various forms of biological and social theory followed up by empirical evidence to explain the consumption – utility paradox mentioned above.
This paper will begin by dissecting the concept of utility into its hedonistic and eudemonic components and analyzing the cognitive operating system inferred from commonly observed human behavior. It will be put forth that man’s natural imposition predisposes him to introspectively recalibrating his/her psychological self-assessments on a continuing basis resulting in a diminishment of his/her eudemonic utility. While intuitively, it seems that agents always adjust their utility relative to the position which one currently sees him self in relative to his/her previous expectations, it turns out that agents, for one reason or another, instead elevate their expectations to maintain a utility equilibrium. Psychologists refer to this paradox as “set point theory” and economists call it “hedonic adaptation” or the “hedonic treadmill” (Bruno 129). Regardless of what this human predisposition is called, its effects are unquestionably pervasive and evident in both the microeconomic and macroeconomic research, as this paper will show. There exists one more complication, however, and that is the diminishing nature of utility in and of itself. Research has shown that though humans are equipped with barometers which adjust their expectations to maintain a certain equilibrium level of utility, once that equilibrium is reached (perhaps a state of indifference) utility will remain constant until a new higher order (relative to expectations) stimuli is experienced. This situation is problematic for consumption as there reaches a point where either: higher order purchases are not economically feasible, or inanimate objects lose their appeal. The end result, as it has been empirically supported – and will be shown in this paper –, is that happiness ceases to grow with wealth and utility ceases to be a function of current consumption.
THE PHILOSOPHICAL DISECTION OF UTILITY
Consumption is a result of cognition and genealogical instincts guiding one’s actions in attaining a state of psychological fulfillment (utility). There exist, two predominant schools of thought, which define the opposing spectrums concerning the definition of utility, or happiness as some may choose to call it. The first school, introduced by Bentham in the early 19th Century, explains happiness as a mental state comprised of a balance of two cognitive hedonic stimuli; pain and pleasure. The 4th Century BC philosopher, Aristotle, had a more involved explanation for utility (Nussbaum 171). He believed that happiness was eudemonic and as such could only be acquired through the realization of an active and accomplished life. Aristotle’s eudemonia premise said that pain and pleasure are too complex and varied to be simply summed into two the hedonic categories of pain and pleasure (Nussbaum 172).
The truth, it seems, is that both schools of thought are correct in explaining human utility. There exist hedonistic forms of pleasure which are seemingly subconscious and intrinsic to the human being. Hedonic utility is the pleasure derived from inconspicuous sensory stimuli, i.e., sexual climax, the quenching of thirst, a drug high etc. In addition to these sensory stimuli there exist eudemonic, or purely-cognitive or thought-induced stimuli which require a second individual or perhaps “society” to serve as a type of figurative mirror (Adam Smith) to allow self-evaluation by the introspecting agent (Zamagni 305). In other words, the sense of the individuality is dependent on interaction with contemporaries. Furthermore, eudemonic pleasures derived from self actualization are dependent on how an individual evaluates his/her position relative to society, or the status quo.
SOCIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING UTILITY
It seems endemic that agents of modern society attempt to attain status through displays of resources or conspicuous consumption. It is no doubt a result of social pressures or standards that these players attempt to improve their positions through acquisitions (i.e., RX7 one-upsmanship). Wealth is, no doubt, the ear mark of the social elite and as such it is utilized to elevate relative societal position via conspicuous consumption. To this end, agents are successful in climbing the social ladder and attaining desirable positions within society, but one must ask does the power and prestige, which seems synonymous with happiness, actually equate to utility? To be honest, the verdict is uncertain and complex. It is my opinion, based on the research I have done on this subject, that an increase in status is associated with utility; however, it is subject treadmill effects (shifting reference point). I was unable to find research comparing social status and happiness directly, but assuming that increased status coincides with increased wealth (a fairly pragmatic assumption), it can be inferred from studies, such as the Italian study in Figure 1 showing a diminishing correlation between income and happiness, that status is not a direct indicator of utilty in human beings (Veenhoven 254). It follows logically then that current conspicuous consumption aimed at increasing one’s perceived status has a questionable effect on overall utility, especially as psychological set point theory is applied and expectations adjust. I should clarify here that this paper is not implying that perceived social status does not matter; it only suggests that status is subject to diminishing psychological returns which nearly flatten out above a certain threshold.
BIOLOGICAL/BEHAVIORAL CONSIDERATIONS
In this section we will consider the biological impetus for commonly observed human behavior regarding consumption. I will first address the biological impetus for status seeking through consumption and then I will discuss instinctual predispositions , related to survival, that lead to consumption.
How Experiences Translate to Expectations Affecting Instinctual Behavior
In order to understand how instincts behavior scientists have conducted experiments analyzing electrical activity within the brain. Utilizing equipment which allows observation of brain activity in lab conditions, scientists have isolated cognitive decision making to the frontal lobes, which are exaggerated in humans (12 Robson). More specifically, it is Arthur Robson’s belief that “the frontal lobes evaluate options by referring to emotions that were associated with relevant previous experiences by the limbic system.” In other words, sensory inputs experienced by the limbic system are analyzed in a hedonistic context, are stored as expectations for later use by the frontal lobes. It seems in, fact that, that the above process is a good approximate explanation of rationality, which is, “the extent to which an individual maximizes utility while using all available information, including appropriate use in strategic settings of opponents’ preferences and beliefs” (Robson 13). This synopsis of rationality has is substantiated by evidence from an experiment carried out by Antione Bachara, Hanna Damasio, Daniel Tranel, and Antonio Damasio in 1997. The experiment involved a card game in which players were asked to pick cards from decks. Players received reward or punishment in accordance with the value of the card drawn. The experiment was set up so that deck A was superior to deck B in that it consistently produced rewards while deck B resulted in losses. Utilizing skin conductance testing, the observers were able to detect expectations or accrued instincts acquired through repetition. Skin conductance proved that rational players had an unconscious reaction to choose deck A, while individuals with damage to their ventromedial prefrontal cortex “showed no skin conductance at all” (Robson 13). What is to be learned from the above is that expectations affect our instinctual behavior and thus humans are captive to their expectations. Regardless of how rational an individual’s consumption decisions may be, his/her behavior will be influenced by his/her predispositions.
Why Humans Seek Status
Consumption, it seems, is one of man’s way of attaining an instinctually desired feeling of social differentiation within the constraint of the modern world. As Luigino Bruni puts it, “evolution may have utilized status as a more indirect but informative signal of fitness” (Bruno 24). It has been proven that high such elevations in fitness directly correlate to eudemonic utility in animals. Indeed, animals are not the hedonic creatures which they are perceived as. Scientific studies have shown that monkeys experience increases in serotonin levels when they become “top monkey” of their group, empirically proving that socially referenced introspection occurs in primates as well as human beings (Layard 150). The difference between our two species however is the superior mental capacity of humans and the overwhelming societal infrastructure and population that has resulted from our intelligence.
A human being must attempt to achieve fitness within an expansive and materialistic populous. As a result he must optimize his/her behavior within societal constraints with overwhelming competition. Such competition creates ambiguousness as the introspecting agent must use societal cues in determining his/her own fitness since he is not able to dominate the group. A monkey, on the other hand, is generally able to directly and completely dominate a group with which he lives and attain an unambiguous level of fitness resulting long-term increases in utility. I would concede, however, that those in subordinate positions are subject to similar ambiguity. After considering the ambiguousness with which one must deal in determining ones fitness, it makes sense that utility derived from a feeling of fitness is volatile and subject to dynamic aspiration levels. Having said that, utility as a function of conspicuous consumption is no doubt subject to the same psychological ambiguity.
Consumption Based on Societal Norm is a Survival Instinct
I think it is a fair assumption that agents carry out both conspicuous and inconspicuous consumption at rates that are directly influenced by society. That is, people purchase durable goods like hand bags and cars or even perhaps non-durable foods because those goods have been marketed to them in one form or another or simply because they observed others consuming a good. It is no doubt a natural instinct for agents to model their behavior on the behavior of the community. This behavioral predisposition is evident both in the way that people adopt accents and the way that people behave. “Experiments have shown that agents use their environmental cues in shaping consumption decisions” (Samuelson 107). In fact, these experiments even suggest that some animals condition their fat accumulation on day length and that animals are more likely to consume foods that they have seen others consuming (Samuelson 107). This consumptive behavior is, therefore, not only a result of fitness seeking, but a natural instinct of conservation. Moreover, since “following” consumption is presumed to be referenced from the status quo and patterned to simulate the consumption at the status quo reference level, it is not necessarily utility increasing as utility requires an increase in consumption above the current “standard.” In other words, utility is not strongly correlated with current consumption because patterned consumption, which is simply a result of “following,” it is just a means of adjusting ones material wealth to reach equilibrium with increased expectations. Simply put, if a person’s standards have increased he must increase his/her consumption in order to maintain psychological equilibrium.
Behavioral Characteristics: From a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
The Biological Make-up of man is such that he cares not about that cardinal value of goods, but of the ordinal leap from one psychological reference point to the next with respect to time. This characteristic is no doubt pervasive in society yet is it not addressed by main-stream economic theory. There are countless examples demonstrating the wealth-happiness paradox, but I will only provide a couple of the more extreme examples below. One such example is that of a study concerning the happiness of lottery winners after the excitement has worn off.
Shane Frederick and George Loewenstein’s 1999 study of lottery winner happiness levels showed that “the intense pleasure from winning a lottery levels off quickly to a level just above that of a control group” (Robson 17). Philip Brinkman, Dan Coats and Ronnie Janoff Bulman (1978) conducted a similar study in which they interviewed both lottery winners with average winnings of about $479,545 and a control group; “they found virtually no difference in rated happiness of lottery winners and non-winners” (33 Rabin). The general consensus reached by the researchers was that the lottery enjoyed mundane experiences less after their reference points where affected by the peak experience of winning the lottery (33 Rabin). The winners also attested that they became habituated in their circumstances, reaching psychological equilibrium through the adjustment of expectations.
Similar research has been conducted to analyze the happiness levels of paraplegics with similar results. The test subjects generally adjust to their new circumstances and report levels of happiness close to that of a control group. This is not to say that their medical handicap’s do not decrease happiness to some extent, only that it is effected far less than standard economic theory would account for. The explanation again is that the paraplegic individuals reestablished psychological equilibrium near usual as a result of an instinctual reference adjustment.
If the above seems to difficult to believe, consider a rat experiment conducted by David Zeaman in 1949 (Robson 17-18). In his/her experiment, Zeaman “trained one group of rats to run for a goal with a small reward and another to run for a large reward. Next he put a larger reward in place for the small reward group and observed their behavior. Unsurprisingly, the rats with the upgraded reward ran faster than those rats who had received the large reward all along. “Similarly, animals that were switched from a large reward to a small reward ran more slowly than if the small reward had been used all along” (Robson 17-18). What this experiment shows is that is not the absolute level of wealth that signifies utility, but the level of wealth relative to expectation (over time).
To further validate the importance of relativity in determining utility, consider an experiment by Leon Tremblay and Wolfram Schultz conducted in 1999. Through the observation of neural activity relating to various choices between 3 objects, Tremblay and Schultz were able to conclude that utility “is not tied into rewards themselves, but tied to whichever is better of the two options” (Robson 18). The results showed similar neural activity comparing A to B and B to C than C alone (Robson 18). What this could mean (be careful not to make broad assumptions) from a psycho-economic standpoint is that disparity is in itself the root of utility as indicated by the neural activity. This directly relates to current consumption as it further illustrates the point that while the process of attaining a good (moving from B to C) may create utility, once the agent is at C expectations will adjust and disparity derived utility will go back to equilibrium (C alone).
MORE EVIDENCE OF RELATIVE UTILITY
Since it is beyond the scope of this paper to introduce all of the empirical evidence I have found germane to relative utility I will simply provide a brief synopsis below:
All of the following facts are out of Economics and Happiness:
Macroeconomic Studies
1. The Gallop pole (152) – A United States poll asking citizens how much money they think is needed to live a comfortable life.
a. Result: A direct correlation between individual’s income and the amount of money needed for comfort.
b. Significance: Supports psychological set point theorem and expectation adjustment.
2. Van Praag (1998) study show that aspirations destroy roughly 60% of new wealth.
a. Significance: Supports psychological set point theorem and expectation adjustment.
3. During the Europe depression – antidepressant sales did not rise (251)
a. Interpretation: There is no evidence showing that a decrease in income of the populace affected utility.
b. Significance: Shows that income level and utility are not directly associated. Perhaps the homogenous effect of the depression did not effect utility significantly because disparity did not result.
4. A 1995 study in Italy shows that wealth/happiness = bell curve (254)
a. Figure 1
(Veenhoven 254)
b.
c. Significance: Shows a diminishing correlation between Happiness and income.
5. Lee Rain Water 1994 study shows that “the elasticity of ‘get along’ to actual income is one” according to US General Social Survey (GSS) data (47).
a. Significance: Supports the idea that aspirations can negate gains in utility.
6. National Opinion Research Center concluded from GSS data that health and marriage affect happiness. Education is also strongly related (32).
a. Significance: Since that utility is partly affected by consumer goods (medical care and education) and part social interaction. With that being said, there reaches a point where the marginal returns of health and education per dollar is zero. Hence above a certain income threshold current consumption does an inefficient job of providing for utility.
7. According to Veenhoven (1993) Japan’s average happiness from the year 1960 to 1987 did not change appreciably while the nations GDP increased by multiple orders. (67).
a. Significance: GDP increases are the result of increased production and consumption. The fact that increased income and consumption per capita did not result strongly supports the claim that current consumption and utility are not strongly correlated.
CONCLUSION
While current consumption is certainly a function of utility for impoverished agents, it does little for increasing one’s utility once an individual is able to acquire enough education, medical care and social opportunities to realize his/her potential psychological equilibrium. Once an agent has reached his/her equilibrium consumption plays a very small role in utility as expectations will always adjust to maintain equilibrium. This seems easy to accept as people tend to have general emotional dispositions in life (i.e., happy-go-lucky, bitter, moody etc.). Agents will be able to experience fleeting moments of additional utility through the introduction of higher order goods and social status, but in the end human adaptation will take over. That is not to say that an individual cannot higher his/her long-term equilibrium utility, only that permanent elevations in utility are a result of self actualization, not material goods.
RL
CONCLUSION FOR RX-7 OWNERS
If you think you'll ever be satisfied with your car you are fighting a losing battle. You can either walk away from the game and focus on more important things that actually impact your quality of life or you can accept your addiction for what it is and keep pressing forward towards futility. A third and better option is to accept your irrational behavior and find a better balance. That is not to say that this hobby cannot be fulfilling, only that for most people it's more about a struggle of psychological fitness than a passion for the hobby. Here's a way to evaluate your RX-7 spending: Consider the last significant purchase you made. Think back to your state of mind when you were contemplating the purchase and answer the following question:
If you were socially isolated (i.e., the Forum didn't exist) would you have made the purchase? Be honest with yourself.
If the answer is yes, then this hobby may actually be positively impacting upon your happiness.
If the answer is no you are like 98% of the one-uppers on here who will never be satisfied. My advice is to step back, consider what you have given up to play this game, and adjust your behavior accordingly.
As for me, I'm going to finish the car off without cutting corners and get her on the road so I can enjoy her and give myself an incentive (PIA factor) to keep her on the road and off the drawing board. As long as this car is on jack stands I'm going to be doomed to the upgrade treadmill. lol
GL
Rob
TOPIC
"Discuss the theoretical and empirical evidence in support or otherwise of the notion that utility is not a function of current consumption."-Simon
INTRODUCTION
This paper is not going to unrealistically propose that wealth has no correlation with utility. It is indeed common sense, and empirically validated, that those agents currently living in abject poverty or on the bread line would experience a significant increase in quality of life and utility as a result of substantially increased current consumption. Moreover, it is not the aim of this paper to say that wealth has no bearing on education, health and family life; all proven sources of lasting utility (Easterlin 32). What this paper will argue, however, is that above a certain wage threshold, the utility resulting as a function of current consumption become progressively transient and will continue to be transient as long as agents adjust their reference points and ambitions. In order to understand why utility above a certain income level is fleeting, it is necessary prerequisite to understand why we consume. The knee jerk response to this question is of course that we consume to increase our utility. While that response is surely correct, it really only touches the surface of the question at hand. This paper will present various forms of biological and social theory followed up by empirical evidence to explain the consumption – utility paradox mentioned above.
This paper will begin by dissecting the concept of utility into its hedonistic and eudemonic components and analyzing the cognitive operating system inferred from commonly observed human behavior. It will be put forth that man’s natural imposition predisposes him to introspectively recalibrating his/her psychological self-assessments on a continuing basis resulting in a diminishment of his/her eudemonic utility. While intuitively, it seems that agents always adjust their utility relative to the position which one currently sees him self in relative to his/her previous expectations, it turns out that agents, for one reason or another, instead elevate their expectations to maintain a utility equilibrium. Psychologists refer to this paradox as “set point theory” and economists call it “hedonic adaptation” or the “hedonic treadmill” (Bruno 129). Regardless of what this human predisposition is called, its effects are unquestionably pervasive and evident in both the microeconomic and macroeconomic research, as this paper will show. There exists one more complication, however, and that is the diminishing nature of utility in and of itself. Research has shown that though humans are equipped with barometers which adjust their expectations to maintain a certain equilibrium level of utility, once that equilibrium is reached (perhaps a state of indifference) utility will remain constant until a new higher order (relative to expectations) stimuli is experienced. This situation is problematic for consumption as there reaches a point where either: higher order purchases are not economically feasible, or inanimate objects lose their appeal. The end result, as it has been empirically supported – and will be shown in this paper –, is that happiness ceases to grow with wealth and utility ceases to be a function of current consumption.
THE PHILOSOPHICAL DISECTION OF UTILITY
Consumption is a result of cognition and genealogical instincts guiding one’s actions in attaining a state of psychological fulfillment (utility). There exist, two predominant schools of thought, which define the opposing spectrums concerning the definition of utility, or happiness as some may choose to call it. The first school, introduced by Bentham in the early 19th Century, explains happiness as a mental state comprised of a balance of two cognitive hedonic stimuli; pain and pleasure. The 4th Century BC philosopher, Aristotle, had a more involved explanation for utility (Nussbaum 171). He believed that happiness was eudemonic and as such could only be acquired through the realization of an active and accomplished life. Aristotle’s eudemonia premise said that pain and pleasure are too complex and varied to be simply summed into two the hedonic categories of pain and pleasure (Nussbaum 172).
The truth, it seems, is that both schools of thought are correct in explaining human utility. There exist hedonistic forms of pleasure which are seemingly subconscious and intrinsic to the human being. Hedonic utility is the pleasure derived from inconspicuous sensory stimuli, i.e., sexual climax, the quenching of thirst, a drug high etc. In addition to these sensory stimuli there exist eudemonic, or purely-cognitive or thought-induced stimuli which require a second individual or perhaps “society” to serve as a type of figurative mirror (Adam Smith) to allow self-evaluation by the introspecting agent (Zamagni 305). In other words, the sense of the individuality is dependent on interaction with contemporaries. Furthermore, eudemonic pleasures derived from self actualization are dependent on how an individual evaluates his/her position relative to society, or the status quo.
SOCIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING UTILITY
It seems endemic that agents of modern society attempt to attain status through displays of resources or conspicuous consumption. It is no doubt a result of social pressures or standards that these players attempt to improve their positions through acquisitions (i.e., RX7 one-upsmanship). Wealth is, no doubt, the ear mark of the social elite and as such it is utilized to elevate relative societal position via conspicuous consumption. To this end, agents are successful in climbing the social ladder and attaining desirable positions within society, but one must ask does the power and prestige, which seems synonymous with happiness, actually equate to utility? To be honest, the verdict is uncertain and complex. It is my opinion, based on the research I have done on this subject, that an increase in status is associated with utility; however, it is subject treadmill effects (shifting reference point). I was unable to find research comparing social status and happiness directly, but assuming that increased status coincides with increased wealth (a fairly pragmatic assumption), it can be inferred from studies, such as the Italian study in Figure 1 showing a diminishing correlation between income and happiness, that status is not a direct indicator of utilty in human beings (Veenhoven 254). It follows logically then that current conspicuous consumption aimed at increasing one’s perceived status has a questionable effect on overall utility, especially as psychological set point theory is applied and expectations adjust. I should clarify here that this paper is not implying that perceived social status does not matter; it only suggests that status is subject to diminishing psychological returns which nearly flatten out above a certain threshold.
BIOLOGICAL/BEHAVIORAL CONSIDERATIONS
In this section we will consider the biological impetus for commonly observed human behavior regarding consumption. I will first address the biological impetus for status seeking through consumption and then I will discuss instinctual predispositions , related to survival, that lead to consumption.
How Experiences Translate to Expectations Affecting Instinctual Behavior
In order to understand how instincts behavior scientists have conducted experiments analyzing electrical activity within the brain. Utilizing equipment which allows observation of brain activity in lab conditions, scientists have isolated cognitive decision making to the frontal lobes, which are exaggerated in humans (12 Robson). More specifically, it is Arthur Robson’s belief that “the frontal lobes evaluate options by referring to emotions that were associated with relevant previous experiences by the limbic system.” In other words, sensory inputs experienced by the limbic system are analyzed in a hedonistic context, are stored as expectations for later use by the frontal lobes. It seems in, fact that, that the above process is a good approximate explanation of rationality, which is, “the extent to which an individual maximizes utility while using all available information, including appropriate use in strategic settings of opponents’ preferences and beliefs” (Robson 13). This synopsis of rationality has is substantiated by evidence from an experiment carried out by Antione Bachara, Hanna Damasio, Daniel Tranel, and Antonio Damasio in 1997. The experiment involved a card game in which players were asked to pick cards from decks. Players received reward or punishment in accordance with the value of the card drawn. The experiment was set up so that deck A was superior to deck B in that it consistently produced rewards while deck B resulted in losses. Utilizing skin conductance testing, the observers were able to detect expectations or accrued instincts acquired through repetition. Skin conductance proved that rational players had an unconscious reaction to choose deck A, while individuals with damage to their ventromedial prefrontal cortex “showed no skin conductance at all” (Robson 13). What is to be learned from the above is that expectations affect our instinctual behavior and thus humans are captive to their expectations. Regardless of how rational an individual’s consumption decisions may be, his/her behavior will be influenced by his/her predispositions.
Why Humans Seek Status
Consumption, it seems, is one of man’s way of attaining an instinctually desired feeling of social differentiation within the constraint of the modern world. As Luigino Bruni puts it, “evolution may have utilized status as a more indirect but informative signal of fitness” (Bruno 24). It has been proven that high such elevations in fitness directly correlate to eudemonic utility in animals. Indeed, animals are not the hedonic creatures which they are perceived as. Scientific studies have shown that monkeys experience increases in serotonin levels when they become “top monkey” of their group, empirically proving that socially referenced introspection occurs in primates as well as human beings (Layard 150). The difference between our two species however is the superior mental capacity of humans and the overwhelming societal infrastructure and population that has resulted from our intelligence.
A human being must attempt to achieve fitness within an expansive and materialistic populous. As a result he must optimize his/her behavior within societal constraints with overwhelming competition. Such competition creates ambiguousness as the introspecting agent must use societal cues in determining his/her own fitness since he is not able to dominate the group. A monkey, on the other hand, is generally able to directly and completely dominate a group with which he lives and attain an unambiguous level of fitness resulting long-term increases in utility. I would concede, however, that those in subordinate positions are subject to similar ambiguity. After considering the ambiguousness with which one must deal in determining ones fitness, it makes sense that utility derived from a feeling of fitness is volatile and subject to dynamic aspiration levels. Having said that, utility as a function of conspicuous consumption is no doubt subject to the same psychological ambiguity.
Consumption Based on Societal Norm is a Survival Instinct
I think it is a fair assumption that agents carry out both conspicuous and inconspicuous consumption at rates that are directly influenced by society. That is, people purchase durable goods like hand bags and cars or even perhaps non-durable foods because those goods have been marketed to them in one form or another or simply because they observed others consuming a good. It is no doubt a natural instinct for agents to model their behavior on the behavior of the community. This behavioral predisposition is evident both in the way that people adopt accents and the way that people behave. “Experiments have shown that agents use their environmental cues in shaping consumption decisions” (Samuelson 107). In fact, these experiments even suggest that some animals condition their fat accumulation on day length and that animals are more likely to consume foods that they have seen others consuming (Samuelson 107). This consumptive behavior is, therefore, not only a result of fitness seeking, but a natural instinct of conservation. Moreover, since “following” consumption is presumed to be referenced from the status quo and patterned to simulate the consumption at the status quo reference level, it is not necessarily utility increasing as utility requires an increase in consumption above the current “standard.” In other words, utility is not strongly correlated with current consumption because patterned consumption, which is simply a result of “following,” it is just a means of adjusting ones material wealth to reach equilibrium with increased expectations. Simply put, if a person’s standards have increased he must increase his/her consumption in order to maintain psychological equilibrium.
Behavioral Characteristics: From a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
The Biological Make-up of man is such that he cares not about that cardinal value of goods, but of the ordinal leap from one psychological reference point to the next with respect to time. This characteristic is no doubt pervasive in society yet is it not addressed by main-stream economic theory. There are countless examples demonstrating the wealth-happiness paradox, but I will only provide a couple of the more extreme examples below. One such example is that of a study concerning the happiness of lottery winners after the excitement has worn off.
Shane Frederick and George Loewenstein’s 1999 study of lottery winner happiness levels showed that “the intense pleasure from winning a lottery levels off quickly to a level just above that of a control group” (Robson 17). Philip Brinkman, Dan Coats and Ronnie Janoff Bulman (1978) conducted a similar study in which they interviewed both lottery winners with average winnings of about $479,545 and a control group; “they found virtually no difference in rated happiness of lottery winners and non-winners” (33 Rabin). The general consensus reached by the researchers was that the lottery enjoyed mundane experiences less after their reference points where affected by the peak experience of winning the lottery (33 Rabin). The winners also attested that they became habituated in their circumstances, reaching psychological equilibrium through the adjustment of expectations.
Similar research has been conducted to analyze the happiness levels of paraplegics with similar results. The test subjects generally adjust to their new circumstances and report levels of happiness close to that of a control group. This is not to say that their medical handicap’s do not decrease happiness to some extent, only that it is effected far less than standard economic theory would account for. The explanation again is that the paraplegic individuals reestablished psychological equilibrium near usual as a result of an instinctual reference adjustment.
If the above seems to difficult to believe, consider a rat experiment conducted by David Zeaman in 1949 (Robson 17-18). In his/her experiment, Zeaman “trained one group of rats to run for a goal with a small reward and another to run for a large reward. Next he put a larger reward in place for the small reward group and observed their behavior. Unsurprisingly, the rats with the upgraded reward ran faster than those rats who had received the large reward all along. “Similarly, animals that were switched from a large reward to a small reward ran more slowly than if the small reward had been used all along” (Robson 17-18). What this experiment shows is that is not the absolute level of wealth that signifies utility, but the level of wealth relative to expectation (over time).
To further validate the importance of relativity in determining utility, consider an experiment by Leon Tremblay and Wolfram Schultz conducted in 1999. Through the observation of neural activity relating to various choices between 3 objects, Tremblay and Schultz were able to conclude that utility “is not tied into rewards themselves, but tied to whichever is better of the two options” (Robson 18). The results showed similar neural activity comparing A to B and B to C than C alone (Robson 18). What this could mean (be careful not to make broad assumptions) from a psycho-economic standpoint is that disparity is in itself the root of utility as indicated by the neural activity. This directly relates to current consumption as it further illustrates the point that while the process of attaining a good (moving from B to C) may create utility, once the agent is at C expectations will adjust and disparity derived utility will go back to equilibrium (C alone).
MORE EVIDENCE OF RELATIVE UTILITY
Since it is beyond the scope of this paper to introduce all of the empirical evidence I have found germane to relative utility I will simply provide a brief synopsis below:
All of the following facts are out of Economics and Happiness:
Macroeconomic Studies
1. The Gallop pole (152) – A United States poll asking citizens how much money they think is needed to live a comfortable life.
a. Result: A direct correlation between individual’s income and the amount of money needed for comfort.
b. Significance: Supports psychological set point theorem and expectation adjustment.
2. Van Praag (1998) study show that aspirations destroy roughly 60% of new wealth.
a. Significance: Supports psychological set point theorem and expectation adjustment.
3. During the Europe depression – antidepressant sales did not rise (251)
a. Interpretation: There is no evidence showing that a decrease in income of the populace affected utility.
b. Significance: Shows that income level and utility are not directly associated. Perhaps the homogenous effect of the depression did not effect utility significantly because disparity did not result.
4. A 1995 study in Italy shows that wealth/happiness = bell curve (254)
a. Figure 1
(Veenhoven 254)
b.
c. Significance: Shows a diminishing correlation between Happiness and income.
5. Lee Rain Water 1994 study shows that “the elasticity of ‘get along’ to actual income is one” according to US General Social Survey (GSS) data (47).
a. Significance: Supports the idea that aspirations can negate gains in utility.
6. National Opinion Research Center concluded from GSS data that health and marriage affect happiness. Education is also strongly related (32).
a. Significance: Since that utility is partly affected by consumer goods (medical care and education) and part social interaction. With that being said, there reaches a point where the marginal returns of health and education per dollar is zero. Hence above a certain income threshold current consumption does an inefficient job of providing for utility.
7. According to Veenhoven (1993) Japan’s average happiness from the year 1960 to 1987 did not change appreciably while the nations GDP increased by multiple orders. (67).
a. Significance: GDP increases are the result of increased production and consumption. The fact that increased income and consumption per capita did not result strongly supports the claim that current consumption and utility are not strongly correlated.
CONCLUSION
While current consumption is certainly a function of utility for impoverished agents, it does little for increasing one’s utility once an individual is able to acquire enough education, medical care and social opportunities to realize his/her potential psychological equilibrium. Once an agent has reached his/her equilibrium consumption plays a very small role in utility as expectations will always adjust to maintain equilibrium. This seems easy to accept as people tend to have general emotional dispositions in life (i.e., happy-go-lucky, bitter, moody etc.). Agents will be able to experience fleeting moments of additional utility through the introduction of higher order goods and social status, but in the end human adaptation will take over. That is not to say that an individual cannot higher his/her long-term equilibrium utility, only that permanent elevations in utility are a result of self actualization, not material goods.
RL
If you think you'll ever be satisfied with your car you are fighting a losing battle. You can either walk away from the game and focus on more important things that actually impact your quality of life or you can accept your addiction for what it is and keep pressing forward towards futility. A third and better option is to accept your irrational behavior and find a better balance. That is not to say that this hobby cannot be fulfilling, only that for most people it's more about a struggle of psychological fitness than a passion for the hobby. Here's a way to evaluate your RX-7 spending: Consider the last significant purchase you made. Think back to your state of mind when you were contemplating the purchase and answer the following question:
If you were socially isolated (i.e., the Forum didn't exist) would you have made the purchase? Be honest with yourself.
If the answer is yes, then this hobby may actually be positively impacting upon your happiness.
If the answer is no you are like 98% of the one-uppers on here who will never be satisfied. My advice is to step back, consider what you have given up to play this game, and adjust your behavior accordingly.
As for me, I'm going to finish the car off without cutting corners and get her on the road so I can enjoy her and give myself an incentive (PIA factor) to keep her on the road and off the drawing board. As long as this car is on jack stands I'm going to be doomed to the upgrade treadmill. lol
GL
Rob
06-09-07, 09:41 AM
#203
All out Track Freak!
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Interesting paper.
I read a book a while ago titled something like 7 things or ways to influence people and I think you'd enjoy it. I'll get the authors name and correct name of the book to you
BTW some of us just want to buy the car that's been on jack stands for years and then we get are pleasure from driving the **** out of it lol
I'm 100% hedonistic and could certainly lower my self pleasure drive considerably and concentrate on helping others which is where true happiness is discovered.
I read a book a while ago titled something like 7 things or ways to influence people and I think you'd enjoy it. I'll get the authors name and correct name of the book to you
BTW some of us just want to buy the car that's been on jack stands for years and then we get are pleasure from driving the **** out of it lol
I'm 100% hedonistic and could certainly lower my self pleasure drive considerably and concentrate on helping others which is where true happiness is discovered.
06-09-07, 11:09 AM
#204
BTW some of us just want to buy the car that's been on jack stands for years and then we get are pleasure from driving the **** out of it lol I'm 100% hedonistic and could certainly lower my self pleasure drive considerably and concentrate on helping others which is where true happiness is discovered.
I'm 100% hedonistic and could certainly lower my self pleasure drive considerably and concentrate on helping others which is where true happiness is discovered.
"Man kind has progressed because the enjoyment attached to the acquisition of new knowledge is diminishing while the knowledge itself is not." RL
think about that one.... ;o)
I'm getting my car off the stands as soon as I can and shifting my focus onto more important things. That is not to say that I won't get great enjoyment from having the car, but that it is so insignificant in the big picture.
RL
06-09-07, 10:35 PM
#205
Rob! It's Zach. I have not been on this forum for quite some time. How the hell are you? Your rear subframe is patiently waiting for you in my basement. Wait till you see the subframe and the powdercoating in person!
It's a work of art!
Speaking of turbo kits, Hinson is supposed to be releasing a single turbo bolt-on kit this fall..... Someone in a white RX7 may have a winter project!
Fritz, I will be sending you a PM, I broke something. 8>)
It's a work of art!
Speaking of turbo kits, Hinson is supposed to be releasing a single turbo bolt-on kit this fall..... Someone in a white RX7 may have a winter project!
Fritz, I will be sending you a PM, I broke something. 8>)
06-09-07, 10:55 PM
#207
All out Track Freak!
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"Man kind has progressed because the enjoyment attached to the acquisition of new knowledge is diminishing while the knowledge itself is not."
I derive this from that thought but I'm a pretty backward ****. Once we dicovered fire we all had to learn about it but we never had the pleasure of discovery etc.... Today you have to be frikken wizard just to make it to work on time.
I derive this from that thought but I'm a pretty backward ****. Once we dicovered fire we all had to learn about it but we never had the pleasure of discovery etc....
Today you have to be frikken wizard just to make it to work on time.
06-10-07, 01:12 AM
#210
Super Snuggles
Welcome to my world.
06-10-07, 01:15 AM
#211
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I love that theory. To stop 98% of us from spending any more money on our cars, we should socially isolate ourselves (especially from this forum) :P
But really, I think people just crave social acceptance and compliments, which is why you see many look at my new *insert part name here* threads. Possibly also the same reason why women spend so damned much on clothes, and men on their toys - cameras, computers, plasma TVs, etc.
Gotta one-up your neighbour with a bigger TV, bigger house, nicer car, bigger tool shed equipped with more powerful tools which probably aren't used much anyway (Tim Allen). Makes you feel like The Man when you know you've got more firepower than anyone else. But you don't get all that stuff because you really need it, you probably got most of it to show off so you can feel superior.
So where does it stop? I guess when people just don't pay attention to what other people have anymore, regardless of what they may have. But come on, that never happens. Everyone loves receiving compliments, and until people don't care for compliments, nobody's going to stop tinkering with their cars, because doing so will give them the compliments and attention they desire. Got a ported 13B with 600hp? Betcha you're not gonna stop there. 20B with 1000hp? Nah, not enough. Gotta have a 4 rotor. Then you'll say you're bored of FDs, and you'll sell an FD for something else to build and peacock around.
Now, if only we were all photoshop gurus, we could all pretend we had really cool cars, and still get compliments from the online authority on all things rotary. One-upping has never been so cheap.
But really, I think people just crave social acceptance and compliments, which is why you see many look at my new *insert part name here* threads. Possibly also the same reason why women spend so damned much on clothes, and men on their toys - cameras, computers, plasma TVs, etc.
Gotta one-up your neighbour with a bigger TV, bigger house, nicer car, bigger tool shed equipped with more powerful tools which probably aren't used much anyway (Tim Allen). Makes you feel like The Man when you know you've got more firepower than anyone else. But you don't get all that stuff because you really need it, you probably got most of it to show off so you can feel superior.
So where does it stop? I guess when people just don't pay attention to what other people have anymore, regardless of what they may have. But come on, that never happens. Everyone loves receiving compliments, and until people don't care for compliments, nobody's going to stop tinkering with their cars, because doing so will give them the compliments and attention they desire. Got a ported 13B with 600hp? Betcha you're not gonna stop there. 20B with 1000hp? Nah, not enough. Gotta have a 4 rotor. Then you'll say you're bored of FDs, and you'll sell an FD for something else to build and peacock around.
Now, if only we were all photoshop gurus, we could all pretend we had really cool cars, and still get compliments from the online authority on all things rotary. One-upping has never been so cheap.
06-10-07, 06:34 PM
#212
Your rear subframe is patiently waiting for you in my basement. Wait till you see the subframe and the powdercoating in person!
It's a work of art!
It's a work of art!
Speaking of turbo kits, Hinson is supposed to be releasing a single turbo bolt-on kit this fall..... Someone in a white RX7 may have a winter project!
FYI: I should be heading back mid July after I run with the bulls in Pamplona, assuming I make it out alive. Worst/best case scenario I'll backpack til early August then come back. Looking forward to getting the silver beast up and running!
06-10-07, 06:38 PM
#213
"Man kind has progressed because the enjoyment attached to the acquisition of new knowledge is diminishing while the knowledge itself is not."
I derive this from that thought but I'm a pretty backward ****. Once we dicovered fire we all had to learn about it but we never had the pleasure of discovery etc.... Today you have to be frikken wizard just to make it to work on time.
I derive this from that thought but I'm a pretty backward ****. Once we dicovered fire we all had to learn about it but we never had the pleasure of discovery etc....
Today you have to be frikken wizard just to make it to work on time.Thanks for the title! And BTW we will need Kyle to send "the unit" please.
thanks man,
Rob
06-10-07, 06:43 PM
#215
06-10-07, 06:46 PM
#216
I love that theory. To stop 98% of us from spending any more money on our cars, we should socially isolate ourselves (especially from this forum) :P
But really, I think people just crave social acceptance and compliments, which is why you see many look at my new *insert part name here* threads. Possibly also the same reason why women spend so damned much on clothes, and men on their toys - cameras, computers, plasma TVs, etc.
Gotta one-up your neighbour with a bigger TV, bigger house, nicer car, bigger tool shed equipped with more powerful tools which probably aren't used much anyway (Tim Allen). Makes you feel like The Man when you know you've got more firepower than anyone else. But you don't get all that stuff because you really need it, you probably got most of it to show off so you can feel superior.
So where does it stop? I guess when people just don't pay attention to what other people have anymore, regardless of what they may have. But come on, that never happens. Everyone loves receiving compliments, and until people don't care for compliments, nobody's going to stop tinkering with their cars, because doing so will give them the compliments and attention they desire. Got a ported 13B with 600hp? Betcha you're not gonna stop there. 20B with 1000hp? Nah, not enough. Gotta have a 4 rotor. Then you'll say you're bored of FDs, and you'll sell an FD for something else to build and peacock around.
Now, if only we were all photoshop gurus, we could all pretend we had really cool cars, and still get compliments from the online authority on all things rotary. One-upping has never been so cheap.
But really, I think people just crave social acceptance and compliments, which is why you see many look at my new *insert part name here* threads. Possibly also the same reason why women spend so damned much on clothes, and men on their toys - cameras, computers, plasma TVs, etc.
Gotta one-up your neighbour with a bigger TV, bigger house, nicer car, bigger tool shed equipped with more powerful tools which probably aren't used much anyway (Tim Allen). Makes you feel like The Man when you know you've got more firepower than anyone else. But you don't get all that stuff because you really need it, you probably got most of it to show off so you can feel superior.
So where does it stop? I guess when people just don't pay attention to what other people have anymore, regardless of what they may have. But come on, that never happens. Everyone loves receiving compliments, and until people don't care for compliments, nobody's going to stop tinkering with their cars, because doing so will give them the compliments and attention they desire. Got a ported 13B with 600hp? Betcha you're not gonna stop there. 20B with 1000hp? Nah, not enough. Gotta have a 4 rotor. Then you'll say you're bored of FDs, and you'll sell an FD for something else to build and peacock around.
Now, if only we were all photoshop gurus, we could all pretend we had really cool cars, and still get compliments from the online authority on all things rotary. One-upping has never been so cheap.
haha, not a bad plan! (photoshop)
06-11-07, 04:10 PM
#218
Lazyman
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I'll have to let my wife read this. She believes that I have personal issues of not being satisfied with my hobbies and that's why I'm always buying stuff for my car!! Maybe so. The thing is that you're right about there not being an "end" but that's what drives me, is what to do next. She asked me that if I ever got to the point to where I was finished with my FD what would I do. I told her that I would either by a FD shell and build a huge single turbo setup or buy a Supra and start all over. That kills her. I'll admit that I have an addiction or that I'm a little OCD about my hobbies but that's what keeps my mind from getting bored. She doesn't understand the obsession and that's ok as long as she understands that this is who I am. She does the same thing with clothes so, it's all relative.
08-28-07, 07:29 AM
#220
Update: I arrived back to the US yesterday morning and had a little bonded session with the car that I haven't seen in 8 months. I installed my MS carbon fiber lip and new doorhandles that I purchased through Encyclopedius Ramicus in his GB a while back. I am happy to say that my senseless addiction to upgrades is over and that I can now focus my energy on a ralistic target. I have most of the parts needed to finish the car and am looking to get the car running as quickly and cost-effectively as possible without cutting corners. I can't wait to finish this project and start driving the car.
08-28-07, 09:07 PM
#221
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This is the first time I came across this thread and I just have to say, excellent work!!! Seeing this thread gets me a little more motivated for my project and I can even see some of my car when its done in yours now. The color helps, because that what I'm also planning on using. My car has been sitting on jack stands for 2-3 years now after a drunk driver pulled a hit and run. Lack of funds and time have kept me down. Right now the car is totally stripped except for the rear end, in and out, ready to go spend a few months at the body shop for paint and body work. The last few weeks I've been planning out as much as I can, trying to figure out exactly how I want everything. Here's a few pics, and you can see from them its just about ready to go to the bodyshop.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/153049976BhbKYR
Anyways man, GREAT WORK!!!!
Sometime before I die, I'll have my own thread when mines done so you can hopefully tell me the same thing
EDIT:
BTW, I've been making a parts list lately for everything I'm thinking about using, and I knew I recognized your name cause I came across your GB for those Noltec Motor mounts and was thinking about using those. Are those still around?? I was just going to PM you when I was ready to pick them up but I was just curious
http://rides.webshots.com/album/153049976BhbKYR
Anyways man, GREAT WORK!!!!
Sometime before I die, I'll have my own thread when mines done so you can hopefully tell me the same thing
EDIT:
BTW, I've been making a parts list lately for everything I'm thinking about using, and I knew I recognized your name cause I came across your GB for those Noltec Motor mounts and was thinking about using those. Are those still around?? I was just going to PM you when I was ready to pick them up but I was just curious
Last edited by RedRx00; 08-28-07 at 09:13 PM.
08-28-07, 09:36 PM
#223
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LIFE SUCKS WITHOUT A 7!!!
I had to take time away from the forum for awhile cause it was too much. Now I'm a little better with dealing with it but its horrible. When nothing is on TV, I turn on Tokyo Drift whenever its on, just to wait for the few parts when you can hear those rotors turning, and that sucks too cause the movie isn't very good.
I had to take time away from the forum for awhile cause it was too much. Now I'm a little better with dealing with it but its horrible. When nothing is on TV, I turn on Tokyo Drift whenever its on, just to wait for the few parts when you can hear those rotors turning, and that sucks too cause the movie isn't very good.
08-29-07, 10:29 AM
#224
This is the first time I came across this thread and I just have to say, excellent work!!! Seeing this thread gets me a little more motivated for my project and I can even see some of my car when its done in yours now. The color helps, because that what I'm also planning on using. My car has been sitting on jack stands for 2-3 years now after a drunk driver pulled a hit and run. Lack of funds and time have kept me down. Right now the car is totally stripped except for the rear end, in and out, ready to go spend a few months at the body shop for paint and body work. The last few weeks I've been planning out as much as I can, trying to figure out exactly how I want everything. Here's a few pics, and you can see from them its just about ready to go to the bodyshop.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/153049976BhbKYR
Anyways man, GREAT WORK!!!!
Sometime before I die, I'll have my own thread when mines done so you can hopefully tell me the same thing
http://rides.webshots.com/album/153049976BhbKYR
Anyways man, GREAT WORK!!!!
Sometime before I die, I'll have my own thread when mines done so you can hopefully tell me the same thing
At this point I am excited as hell about getting her done and finally driving. I'm not to worried about how my car stacks up against other forum FDs or how people on the forum view the project.; though any complements surely are appreciated as sources of motivation and pride. She's real close now! Just have to finish the wiring, fuel and brakes and she'll be about on her way to being a nice weekend car and test mule for a variety of exciting max effort performance solutions that I am in the midst of developing for our cars, as well as others.
EDIT:
BTW, I've been making a parts list lately for everything I'm thinking about using, and I knew I recognized your name cause I came across your GB for those Noltec Motor mounts and was thinking about using those . Are those still around?? I was just going to PM you when I was ready to pick them up but I was just curious
good luck with your project!
Rob
09-28-07, 05:07 PM
#225
The project is creeping along as I only have a few hours to work on the car per week.
Last weekend my buddy Zach Keller came down to deliver my modified rear sub-frame (looks amazing Paul TY) and gave me a hand installing the clutch master/pedals and sorting out some of the wiring. Zach is an absolute beast with these cars BTW, the man organized/hooked up the rats nest of wires in the car in a matter of a few minutes and knows the answer to just about any hair brain question I come up with.
While Zach was wrestling with the wiring, I took that time to clean the engine bay (dusty from sitting in paint shop for a few months) with some high-tech spray that I bought at Track-Auto. It's good stuff because you can spray it on everything with no rinsing and get the bay blinging in no time.
I have installed the Mazdaspeed replica front lip which I am very happy with. I also purchased a mint Nardi Mazda emblem steering wheel and one of those fancy Japanese E-brake shifters which feature plastic handles rather than the delicate USDM leather handles we're used to; all hand delivered (along with my Wise Sport lenses) by Dr. Ramicus our resident JDM expert.
Gave Ray a ring today and ordered a reman'd brake master cylinder along with some miscellaneous bolts and brackets. It was good talking to Ray for the first time in a yr; I'm sure he missed my weekly phone calls. lol. The cost was BMC $145, but I'll get 50 of that back when I send in my core. Mazda no longer sells new brake master BTW.
I also priced out some pieces to finish my interior which I will purchase within the next few weeks:
94 textured door plastics: about $725
new key lock set (ignition, doors, storage bin, trunk): $400
Parts coming from Fritz: mint center A/C vent and fuel pump assembly with sender, and seat rails.
I will try to get more done this weekend and I may or may not update ;o) Sweet lord I look forward to finally driving this car!
have a great weekend gents!
Rob
Last weekend my buddy Zach Keller came down to deliver my modified rear sub-frame (looks amazing Paul TY) and gave me a hand installing the clutch master/pedals and sorting out some of the wiring. Zach is an absolute beast with these cars BTW, the man organized/hooked up the rats nest of wires in the car in a matter of a few minutes and knows the answer to just about any hair brain question I come up with.
While Zach was wrestling with the wiring, I took that time to clean the engine bay (dusty from sitting in paint shop for a few months) with some high-tech spray that I bought at Track-Auto. It's good stuff because you can spray it on everything with no rinsing and get the bay blinging in no time.
I have installed the Mazdaspeed replica front lip which I am very happy with. I also purchased a mint Nardi Mazda emblem steering wheel and one of those fancy Japanese E-brake shifters which feature plastic handles rather than the delicate USDM leather handles we're used to; all hand delivered (along with my Wise Sport lenses) by Dr. Ramicus our resident JDM expert.
Gave Ray a ring today and ordered a reman'd brake master cylinder along with some miscellaneous bolts and brackets. It was good talking to Ray for the first time in a yr; I'm sure he missed my weekly phone calls. lol. The cost was BMC $145, but I'll get 50 of that back when I send in my core. Mazda no longer sells new brake master BTW.
I also priced out some pieces to finish my interior which I will purchase within the next few weeks:
94 textured door plastics: about $725
new key lock set (ignition, doors, storage bin, trunk): $400
Parts coming from Fritz: mint center A/C vent and fuel pump assembly with sender, and seat rails.
I will try to get more done this weekend and I may or may not update ;o) Sweet lord I look forward to finally driving this car!
have a great weekend gents!
Rob
Last edited by wanklin; 09-28-07 at 05:18 PM.