Lost my only key

[enigma9011]

My friend lost my only car key... car was trapped in Walmart parking lot while I was deployed for over 2 weeks.. now I have to figure this out and I need some help.

Dealership tells me that since the car security is armed that they may not be able to reprogram the alarm control unit and if this is the case I'm looking at $1000 just for that. I think that price is rediculous, will they in fact have to have a new control unit to reprogram a new key or is this BS? If so where is the best place order one>

On top of this they quoted me $400+ for a key and programming is extra. Is there any other way I can get a key made for less and then have the dealer do only the reprogramming part?

2002 PORSCHE BOXSTER (NON-S)

Edited December 16, 2010 by enigma9011

[spg356]

Be careful as this can be a slippery slope. I lost my one and only key on a '98 and it was $700 total with the tow and two programmed keys. No mention of reprogramming the alarm control unit on my earlier model year car.

The keys can only be programmed by the dealer and I believe (correct me if I am wrong) the key must be cut at the factory and shipped to the dealer. They then mate the key blade with the remote head and program them to the car.

The slippery part is buying a remote key head elsewhere that may not be compatible with your car, no matter what the seller says. Step lightly here.

I know this stinks, but this is the downside to a system that makes your car "un-stealable" to 98% of car thieves. Not much different with other makes. I sell Lincoln's and Volvo's and the tab is about the same for this situation.

I would contact another dealer or two to see if they come up with similar numbers.

Best of luck with this and thanks for you service to our country!!

[goldenwarrior1]

Our local dealership ordered me a key with just the VIN. I had to show them the registration for proof of ownership but $120.00 and a week later I had the key. As SPG stated, it is shipped from the factory. While there, I had them program a new remote and the combined total was 375.00, not a bad deal in my book and now I have three sets of keys should anything ever go south, remotes fail etc. I believe you can program up to 4 keys though I have no idea why you would want 4...

Hope this helps, Tom

[jpowers]

I was quoted 250.00 to get a second key for my newly acquired 996 from one of the local dealers. I'll get one after New Years.