Car Keys!

knzn

knzn

Joined
Jul 20, 1999
Messages
683
Wow, car keys have come a long way baby.

The wife and I just bought her a 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee, (yes, I know gas is high and please hold any horror stories you may have on Jeeps,) and after a month of pounding the pavement and internet, are happy with our deal.

However, long story short, as we were walking out the door, freshly processed paper work in hand, everyone all smiles, the salesman handed us one key with the words, "we only got one key with this vehicle, and did I mention extras are $180.00?"

All I said was I would have appriciated knowing that little piece of info earlier, and off we drove.

So, tell me about $180.00 keys. Is there a way around them? I dont even care about remote unlocking or locking. I just want a spare!

thanks
 
With my 2001 Grand Cherokee the keys cost about the same. They said that it was because there is a microchip in the key and the dealers rip you off too:D
 
Some keys have chips to pervent unauthorized use of a vehicle... ie thief. Some have key fob on the key itself to open doors and trunk.
 
i wonder if this technology has slowed down car thieves or just increased car jacking?

BTW i have a vehicle with this technology.
 
It's about $250 for a Mercedes key. But you don't have to put the "key" in the ignition and turn it anymore. You just need to have the key on or about your person. Mercedes does give you two with purchase, though.
 
I know that if I can't find a way around this I am not going to be a happy camper when I go fork over the bucks. Not having a spare is not an option.
 
555 said:
i wonder if this technology has slowed down car thieves or just increased car jacking?

BTW i have a vehicle with this technology.
Click to expand...

One thing it elliminates is the old "parking attendant ploy" wherein the attendant makes a quick copy of your key while you're having dinner, finds your home address -- it's usually on something in your car -- and then just drives away with your car a few days later.
 
knzn said:
I know that if I can't find a way around this I am not going to be a happy camper when I go fork over the bucks. Not having a spare is not an option.
Click to expand...

I think I'd go back to the dealer and insist that they foot the bill for the extra key, since all vehicles that I'm aware of come with at least two.

If they don't want to play ball, you can always tell them that you'll return the vehicle, and purchase one elsewhere, while telling your friends and associates about the poor service from them.

Bottom line is that you shouldn't have to pay for something that came new with the vehicle, even though it is used.

Another option is to contact the previous owner.
 
Another scary part is, who's got the second set of keys? If you say your car was stolen and you only have 1 set of keys, is the insurance company going to believe you?
 
Nordic Viking said:
Another scary part is, who's got the second set of keys? If you say your car was stolen and you only have 1 set of keys, is the insurance company going to believe you?
Click to expand...

About 12 years ago we had a daytime break-in and the keys to my brand-new Seville were stolen (the car itself wasn't touched because it was locked in the garage). The investigating officer said I could probably expect that car to be gone the next time it was parked in the driveway and told me to inform the insurance company to have the door and ignition locks changed. I called them and asked if they would do that. Answer: "No." I asked if they would cover 50% of the cost. Answer: "No, we can't do that. The vehicle has not been stolen." I said, "So you can't cover $1,500. to have the locks replaced - but you WILL reimburse me the $52,000. if the car is stolen?" Answer: "Yes, no problem." I love insurance companies. :barf:

(BTW, everything I have read points to the fact that car jackings have increased as factory and aftermarket security/alarm systems become more difficult to circumvent. Just as home invasions increase over simple break-ins where it is common knowledge that home owners are not armed.)
 
But you don't have to put the "key" in the ignition and turn it anymore. You just need to have the key on or about your person. Mercedes does give you two with purchase, though.
Click to expand...
Those kinds of toys aren't just for premium status brands either. The lowly Miata has a keyless ignition system as well.

How 'bout a car with two seperate remote keys, each one with a different signal frequency. Use Remote #1 to unlock the door, and the seat and mirrors are adjusted to Driver #1's memory settings by the time the door is open. Driver #2 uses their remote, and everything is set for them. Is that some cutting-edge Mercedes technology? Think again, that's a standard Lincoln feature, from 1995 and earlier...

-Bob
 
Check ebay. I bought a blank key and remote for $50, and my local key shop did not charge me to cut the key!! That was for my used Ford Freestar and I needed 2 keys to program the new key........How it works for Jeeps, I do not know, you should check your owners manual. Anyway, it is probably cheaper to buy your keys off of ebay and get a Jeep dealer to program it. Hope that saves you a couple $$.
 
Go back and talk to the manager, tell him you really liked the dealership but the salesman pulled a quickie on and tried to get you to cough up another 180 bucks for the second key.

I would think that a call to the local consumer hotline might help too.

according to my sources, dealer cost on that key is less than 30 dollars.
 
You're being screwed by the dealer. You're supposed to get two complete keys (NOT one regular key and "valet" key).

Typical car dealer scam B.S.

Walk in there, dump the car in the middle of his driveway and ask for the key that came with the vehicle.
 
You can get them on ebay much cheaper. Unfortunately, you can only program it if you have two keys. As mentioned above, I would go back to the dealer and insist on a second key as part of your deal. Then order a couple of keys on ebay for back ups.
 
Gollnick said:
One thing it elliminates is the old "parking attendant ploy" wherein the attendant makes a quick copy of your key while you're having dinner, finds your home address -- it's usually on something in your car -- and then just drives away with your car a few days later.
Click to expand...

good point, thanks
 
i would check the laws regarding used car sales in your state to see if they are required to provide two keys

it was poor customer service to provide only one key AFTER the sale was completed

i would voice my complaint directly to the owner of the dealership
 
My '06 Nissan came with 3 keys and 2 clickers.

I'd give the dealer one chance to get you a 2nd key----after that I'd be making a stink at Jeep corporate---daily---untill they make things right.

Then a word of mouth campaign at every opportunity----the stealer will feel the heat---sooner or later.

Remember to fill out your JD Power survey---most dealers live and die on those results.


After posting this----I see you didn't buy new----buying used is another whole ball of wax----its quite likely they only did get one key when they took in the trade.
 
re. the suggestions of buying keys off of ebay. be careful with this, you cant program keys of all cars yourself. Old fords you can program new keys with the 'red' key but new fords you have to have the dealer manufacture them for you by quoting your engine number and showing your vehicle documents, at least here you do. Also check out the alarm system, some cars have to have a remote control key. If you open my car with the physical door lock the alarm goes off...
 
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