Gas Prices

[hillbillyreefer]

I beleive that the Americans per capita debt is smaller than ours. I'll need to verify that though.
After some research I was wrong.

Canadian per capita debt: $15500 2007
US per capita debt: $30400 2008

This is just Federal debt. I'm sure Canadian debt would be much higher if provincial and municipal were added in.

[BMW Rider]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

I beleive that the Americans per capita debt is smaller than ours. I'll need to verify that though.
After some research I was wrong.

Canadian per capita debt: $15500 2007
US per capita debt: $30400 2008

This is just Federal debt. I'm sure Canadian debt would be much higher if provincial and municipal were added in.

I was ust going to post those stats as well. Yes the current per capita debt is more than double for the US (2008 stat for Canada shows $14032).

And keep in mind, the US is currently running deficit budgets while Canada is in a surplus position. If you want to add in Provincial debts, then to keep it even you would also need to add in individual State debt to even the playing field (current estimate of total federal, state and municipal US debt is 53 trillion, or $175,000 per capita). No matter how you slice it, the American economy is heading for a brick wall at out of control speed. The downside is, the wreck is going to make a mess on our doorstep as well.

[Delphinus]

Smart cars aren't too expensive though are they? I thought they were offered at around $17k-18k, or has the prices gone up? As much as I like them, I don't follow the prices because I can't buy one (two small kids - a two seater car would be OK for me to commute to work in, but not much else).

Best car I ever owned was an '84 VW Rabbit GTI. Peppy little thing, was a blast to drive, and went forever on a tank of gas considering how much gas it held (think it was a 40l tank - and that was good for 500km highway, maybe 400ish city). I get 450km in my truck (city or highway, no difference) but takes 70l to fill.

The U.S. economy situation does have me worried. How did Trudeau put it? Something about being a mouse sleeping next to sleeping elephant, you really have to watch out if the elephant rolls over. Them hitting the wall will hit us too. It already has, my RRSP's are down 15% in Q1 2008. Hopefully things recover eventually..

[Quinster]

BMW Rider

Out of curiosity what do you get charged for insurance on your bikes there?

Manitoba has made it so there is almost no cost saving by insuring a motorcycle, the insurance is so high that it cancels out the fuel savings.

I have a 1948 Chevy with a 396 big block, and while city mileage is poor, highway is decent. Now gas being $1.25/L mileage is an issue, but it costs me less than $1000/year to insure the vehicle ($884 for all purpose and full coverage), while my 1100cc shadow now would be $2058 with no fire and theft or vandalism.

That $1174 would buy a lot of gas in the 5 - 7 months we drive either vehicle here! I wish I could justify a bike again!

[BMW Rider]

Originally Posted by Quinster

BMW Rider

Out of curiosity what do you get charged for insurance on your bikes there?

Manitoba has made it so there is almost no cost saving by insuring a motorcycle, the insurance is so high that it cancels out the fuel savings.

I have a 1948 Chevy with a 396 big block, and while city mileage is poor, highway is decent. Now gas being $1.25/L mileage is an issue, but it costs me less than $1000/year to insure the vehicle ($884 for all purpose and full coverage), while my 1100cc shadow now would be $2058 with no fire and theft or vandalism.

That $1174 would buy a lot of gas in the 5 - 7 months we drive either vehicle here! I wish I could justify a bike again!

Youch, that's extreme. My rates for both bikes with full coverage (collision, all perils and liability) is a little under $1200 per year. I'm insured under the MMIC's Open Road insurance program. The rates with them are much more reasonable than through most independant insurers, but I see that is not available to you in Manitoba.

[Quinster]

Yikes...at that price I would have no issues justifying even some of the huge gas guzzling 1800 - 2000cc bikes!

[Lance]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the price of gas in Ottawa?
Last year when the price first start rising quickly, I was talking to a gentlemen who had just travelled across Canada who told me Ottawa's prices were way lower than the rest of the country.

[Quinster]

http://www.torontogasprices.com/Pric...state=ON&c=can