When did car keys get to be $150-$250

[scottmandue]

Picked up a 2013 Mazda, great car but the guy hands me the key...
Me: "Uh, is that the only key?"
Him: "Uh, yeah..."

And yeah... I knew I was screwed (new key would be $$$) but what are you going to do, you buy a used car and you know there will be issues, and if only one key is the worst than I'm okay with that.

So the key "was" one of the flip out key/remote fob combos... remote works but "flip out key" had been broken off so they cut a simple key and we are using the broken remote (that works but looks wonky).

Anyone have a connection with a Mazda dealer that can get me a deal? (everything I read says only a dealer can cut/program a new key fob)

TIA

[Scott R]

That's not bad, Panamera key was $550 + $150 for programming for when my new puppy ate it recently.

[porsche4life]

Check on eBay. Usually you can buy one cheaper and then just take it and have it cut and programmed

[schwarz633]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Check on eBay. Usually you can buy one cheaper and then just take it and have it cut and programmed

I got 2 switchblade key/fobs with my 2001 Audi TT, but they were pretty beat up. I bought a couple on eBay cheap from China, they had a blank key and no electronics. I planned on getting the sidewinder keys cut and transferring the electronics and the security glass bead from the old cases to the new cases. I called around to the local locksmiths and was told that they only cut key blanks that they sell. I ended up transferring the old keys to the new cases, it worked out.

A few years back I bought a 2004 Ford Escape with one key and was able to get a security key cut and programmed by a locksmith for about $75.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Check on eBay. Usually you can buy one cheaper and then just take it and have it cut and programmed

Searching the internet I am being told only a Mazda dealer can program the remote, so I wonder if they will balk if I show up with eBay Chinese knockoffs? (found a deal on 2 for $60... as opposed to $120 for one OEM unit).

I will call the Mazda dealers and see if they cut/program blanks I bring them.

Another option is to get a generic programmable remote and have the keys cut separately.

[mikester]

I woulda made a stink about it, did they wait for you to sign the papers and all that too? Rusnak volvo did that to me a few years ago and I told them hat without the proper keys I didn't want the car, it should have been disclosed up front that they didn't have even the fobs so no remote door locks and only a single key. I know it's used but come on! Eventually Volvo and the dealer made me a deal of $150 for 2 fobs and another key but VOLVO is really the savior there as they gave me a $250 certificate to use and the dealer basically waived their programming fee.

[Tobra]

I think with the Mazdas you can program a key yourself if you have two that work, same for the fobs.

Keys for my car have a chip in them, was only about $50 for a blank, unprogrammed key. Got the key cut, then programmed a third key using the two I have, so if I lose one, I can still do it. They wanted a couple hundred to do the programming at the stealership.

[Baz]

The good news is you don't have a cracked windshield!

[sc_rufctr]

.... Sound like a lot of hassle and the Chinese knock offs are rubbish.
I bought one off Ebay for my daughters BMW. After programing it worked for about 6 weeks and then the battery failed.

If it was me I would just go into the Dealership and pay the money for a new OEM key.

Sucks but you knew that when you bought the car.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Anyone have a connection with a Mazda dealer that can get me a deal? (everything I read says only a dealer can cut/program a new key fob)

TIA

https://onlinemazdaparts.com/
I've used this place a few times, and it's pretty heavily used my the miata community. I had a 2004 Miata. I was able to get 2 keys, pre-cut for the price of a single key from the local dealer. I still had to pay the local dealer about $100 or maybe $115 to program them. I only had a single key, to program a second key requires calling the VIN or maybe the number from the security box into Mazda NA to get a code. That's why I ordered 2 keys. To program a new key if you already have 2 can be done without the dealer.

[pete3799]

Just show them your man card and.............oh yeah.........nevermind

[A930Rocket]

I bought 2-3 off amazon for our draughts Nissan. The dealer cut them and programmed them for about $75 all in.

[Steve Carlton]

The car is supposed to come with two remote/keys, right? Maybe a valet key, too? What key did you use when you test-drove the car- the broken half-ass key? This wasn't a Mazda dealer you purchased it from, right?

If you're lucky, you can find the previous owner(s) info somewhere and contact them to see if they have an original key. A lot of personal information gets left in used cars that shouldn't be there. What's the VIN- maybe the Carfax has some useful info on it.

[911_Dude]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Just show them your man card and.............oh yeah.........nevermind

Good one

[onewhippedpuppy]

Call some mobile locksmith services. In many cases they stock keys and will come to you for the programming. I did this last year with a Jeep that had the remote built into the head. It was $100 including the key and programming.

[WPOZZZ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7V3FH_uB6U

[dennis in se pa]

What pisses me off about this is that the insurance company benefits, but you really don't. These fancy keys make it harder to steal your car, but over your lifetime you will probably spend $1000 for lost keys. It's like you paying an additional fee with little benefit. I have a Honda Odyssey. Who the heck would steal that?

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

What pisses me off about this is that the insurance company benefits, but you really don't. These fancy keys make it harder to steal your car, but over your lifetime you will probably spend $1000 for lost keys. It's like you paying an additional fee with little benefit. I have a Honda Odyssey. Who the heck would steal that?

Thieves steal minivans because they can pile lots of things inside.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Thieves steal minivans because they can pile lots of things inside.

Thieves steal minivans because there are lots of them so lots get into accidents and need replacement parts. The market for cheap replacement parts is huge and drives the market for theft. The most stolen vehicles are the most common and pedestrian not the rare and exotic

[tonytiger]

Try loosing one of those newfangled keys with a rent a car.