This thread makes me glad that I found the spare key to the Volvo when it went missing a couple of days ago...

Can someone explain to me what exactly is wrong with good ole metal keys?

/Sorry Mikey for the tangent, but this seemed as good a place as any to ask.

Good old metal keys are great - I am willing to bet that one driving factor behind these transponder keys is the insurance companies.

Here is the update; I called the GM this morning to let him know how bad a time I had with his Sales Manager and that I was still considering my options. The $250 to return the car deal is per my research part of the California "Car buyer's bill of rights." Cars between $5k and $10k can be charged between $150 and $350 (restock fee) to return them within 2 days. They were giving me the better part of a week (to be fair) to make my decision.

Since I really wasn't getting anywhere happy I told him I would let him know my choice by Monday. I then called Volvo and talked to a very nice woman who was compassionate and understanding. She was firm on the fact though that dealers are franchises and while she has some power over new and certified used car sales - non-certified cars lend her almost know power. With that in mind she offered me a 30% off coupon for any parts purchased at a Volvo dealership. That with the deal the dealer offered me makes it more or less a wash either way (A few $$ difference but close enough).

So, Monday I will go back in there and take care of this. The dealer does not know what Volvo has done and I see no reason to mention it to them. Once this part of the transaction is complete I see no reason why I should ever see them again.