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I bought 06 PT Cruiser, recently. It came with one key only, so I went to Lowe's and had extra 2 keys made, for $1.87 total. I could open the door with the extra keys, but I couldn't start the car, since as I learned later, the original keys were 'preprogrammed'.
OK, so I called the Chrysler dealer in i the area, and asked for the price quote for the spare key for my PT Cruiser. Here comes the shock:
The dealer came up with a total price around $250(!), saying, that the key would need to be pre programmed.
I called another Chrysler dealer, and the price quote for the spare key was $182.50 + tax!
Wow! To know this, I would have certainly not bought the Cruiser a couple weeks ago.
What a way to rip off people!
Go, Chrysler!
This is very common, although each manufacturer has different implementations of theft protection. Some allow you to duplicate a key with one master key. On the PT you have to have TWO master keys to program a replacement transponder key. The premise is that a person can no longer go to a dealer to make a key for your car using the VIN, nor can a valet or someone using the valet key, take the valet key (on cars so equipped), and make a copy of it. It's a theft protection measure, but it is expensive if you lose a master key.
You should have negotiated the price a little lower because of the missing key, which would have gotten around the out of pocket expense. However, if you didn't know this already, there's no way you could avoid this problem.
What to do about it? Once you get the new key made, get online and buy another master key (transponder) blank for $20. Have it cut, then program it yourself with the 2 masters you already have. Put it in a safe place where you will remember it. If you lose another master, or break one, take the 2 master keys that you still have, and repeat with a $20 key instead of a $180 key. Basically, for many cars, replacement key blanks are cheap to buy, and you can self-program IF you already have the necessary other keys. If you don't, you are screwed.
Actually, the expense of making the Chrysler master key is not that bad... some are much worse.
Chrysler=Junk. Plain and simple.
With the exception of their Ram and Challenger they are a waste of money. My girlfriend made the mistake of buying a PT (Part Time) Cruiser a few years ago and it's been in the repair shop 13 times VS my 1 time on my Honda Civic. They are comparable in age and mileage too. This is a perfect example of why your seeing more Nissan, Honda and Toyota (rice burners) on the road. I love my ricer! Never stranded But I will not defend ANY auto makers on this whole key issue as ALL of them are pretty much like this now. Ah yes, the sacred key. Another way to screw the working person. This S**t never ends.
Chrysler=Junk. But I will not defend ANY auto makers on this whole key issue as ALL of them are pretty much like this now. Ah yes, the sacred key. Another way to screw the working person. This S**t never ends.
That's what I think, is the hole point. A**holes!
I won't fall for the trap by paying the rip off charge for the f***ing spare key. I'm just gonna have to be very careful not to lose the existing key.
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, saying, that the key would need to be pre programmed.
I'm just gonna have to be very careful not to lose the existing key.
