rx8au

I went to the complimentary defensive driver course today - must say that I found it worthwhile. This course should be mandatory for all new licences. There were about 15 cars in attendance, and 6 of them were RX-8s!

Through emargency braking excercises, the RX-8s really stood out. Simply outstanding handling and safety smarts. They make the drivers look good!

Has anyone here done the level 2 & 3 courses? Were they worthwhile?

azzaboynt

I did my Murcotts last week. Only 9 cars, and 2 of them were 8's. The instructors heaped a lot of praise on the handling of the 8.

Rang my insurance co the next day to see if I could get an extra discount on my cover... Not yet they said, but will soon. Some insurance co's already do however, so if you have done the course it pays to check.

Again, very worthwile. Thinking of doing the track training myself.

RXP33D

I've had it for a year and a half.

Is it still valid the free driver training?

Ltd

i think its only valid for six months

auzoom

Yep, 6 month validity.

spaldo

I did the level 2 course. It was a lot of fun, and gives you the opportunity to push the car in a pretty safe environment. It really helped me to see just how powerful the RX8 is and how potentially dangerous it can be. Had the opportunity to try manouveurs that you never would on the open road, with and without DSC. You can really get the car to spin out wildly without DSC on, and you can really push the car into a quite uncontrollable situation with it on and it certainly keeps the car under control.

I think that the level 1 course is really the best for helping you with day to day defensive driving though, and I agree that really eveyone should do it.

Revolver

I bought mine as a demo and consequently missed out on the course. Is there a website or something I could check out? How does Murcotts compare with the other outfits that run these things?

Wouldn't mind doing some courses to sharpen up the skills.

spaldo

Murcotts have a website. Needless to say it is www.murcotts.com.au. I know that Ian Luff also run courses at Oran Park.

AMG

I found Murcotts just Ok for a driving course. Probably well suited to drivers at the early stage of their driving lives or people without much track experience ( flame suit on).

In Adelaide at least some of the local car clubs run far superior advanced driving course manned by volunteer (track experienced) car enthusiast.

Revolver

Thanks Spaldo - probably could have just googled them I guess. :o

Revolver

I hear you. That's why I was interested in getting opinions on other operators.

azzaboynt

The Level 1 Defensive driving course IS mainly designed for new / young drivers. The instructors made it quite clear that what they were teaching won't hold water on the track (then inserted their shameless plug for their track training days).

I certainly learnt a few things about myself, and the car that I would not have had a chance without doing the course. Comparing the 8's handling with a host of other cars of various ages and models, the 8 won hands down as the best handling car there. The instructors raved on about the 8. AND the handling of the car made me look like a better driver than I think I am. Although the course came free with the purchase of the car, it's certainly $260 well spent for a day of instruction, and fun testing out your DSC and ABS in a safe environment.

There are a few other companies that do these defensive driving courses here in Sydney, and whilst I think they don't all teach exactly the same thing, if it makes people better drivers then go for it, less chance of yourself, or your loved ones getting killed on the roads. If you are interested, motoring groups like the NRMA or even the RTA can point you in the direction of the more recommended / certified groups out there (Murcotts have some sort of RTA certification that no other driver training companies have - or so they claim... I haven't verified that bit of info).

Anything that expands your knowledge is a good thing.

Revolver

Cheers Azza!

RXP33D

Far out.

I regret not going.

xxup

The Finance Director and I went today.. FANTASTIC..

Met two other RX-8 owners. One with a Titanium Grey Limited Edition - looks great and the other with Sunlight Silver - Luxury.. Everyone was very impressed with the awesome RX-8 braking in the wet.. I will leave it to the both of them to provide their own comments about the day..

Don't miss this - it is even worth paying for your partner to attend...

Ltd

I also did the course to day not quite what I expected, the driving part was OK.The classroom part Iwould say was for young drivers,in most parts common sense.I met XXUP and his wife thanks for comment about my car I thought all three RX8s looked good and certainly performed better than the other cars that were there. Thinking about Nats will make up mind in next week .