Get a new key or live dangerously? Poll

[DouglasR]

Ok here’s the first negative jeep review.
As some of you may know, I lost my key fob hunting hard for squirrels last Friday.
Just called the the dealership and they want $185 for the key and $75 to program it.
Wtf?
Are you kidding me?
How can it cost $75 to program a key?
What a country.

Would y’all get a new key or just be careful with your one and only from now on?
I forgot the spare at home last winter so I guess it’s not that big of a deal.
I guess I’m just risking a tow bill to the dealership.
But it would be nice to have a spare hidden on the car somewhere.
It’s just an absurd amount of money for a key.

Does anyone know any cheaper alternatives?

 

[JLS]

You may be able to find a cheaper key, but not much. Call a local locksmith. I paid $150 to have a a key and a fob programmed. Dealer wanted $200.

The money you spend on a key and programming is better than the time and money you’ll spend for a lockout or a tow bill.

 

[DouglasR]

And you have to make an appointment and drop the car off

 

[cedahm]

The money you spend on a key and programming is better than the time and money you’ll spend for a lockout or a tow bill.

You're just gambling if you don't replace it.

Every time I hit a wicked pothole or stretch of lumber truck washboard I wonder if I just rattled off the magnetic box with my spare fob.

NTM - for most of us (incl you) - the places you might be when you need a lockout/tow could result in a bill a long ways north of $200.

 

[JLS]

Every time I hit a wicked pothole or stretch of lumber truck washboard I wonder if I just rattled off the magnetic box with my spare fob.

I have a magnetic holder stuck up on the frame. I can only recall losing one over the years. Kind of like checking your spare tire for air, good to do once in a while

 

[2rocky]

Get a new one...Consider the expense an education.

Fob Tip: If you are going to store a fob, remove the battery before hiding it so that your car doesn’t ‘sense’ the fob.

https://findcarstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Hitch-Safe.mp4

 

[SWNMELK]

$200 is a cheap one, I have seen them well over $400 and more. I Would get another.

 

[fishing4sanity]

Any chance this one would be re-programable and work for you? About the only thing left from a totaled Cherokee.

 

[Stocker]

Gamble on it. I leave the keys in everything though. If someone steals it, it’s their problem now. The only time I lock anything is if I happen to be in town with guns in the truck which is about twice a year. That tells you how much I go to town because there’s always guns in my truck.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

When you trade the thing in you are going to pay for the replacement if it is missing, by a reduced trade in amount. Might as well enjoy the redundancy while you own it.

 

[Irrelevant]

I lost one of our two laser cut keys over a decade ago, they wanted $400 then. I'm still rocking just the one. #noragrets

 

[DouglasR]

Any chance this one would be re-programable and work for you? About the only thing left from a totaled Cherokee.
View attachment 252491View attachment 252492

Thank you for the offer, but that’s an older style key and I’m guessing it won’t work.

 

[fishing4sanity]

Thank you for the offer, but that’s an older style key and I’m guessing it won’t work.

If there's a chance it'll work let me know.

 

[OntarioHunter]

This is one of the benefits of driving an older vehicle. Standard key with no chip is sufficient. No one is going to steal a 1998 Jimmy with a different colored hood. Or break into it. "What could that bum have that I could possibly want?" I'll put the $200 to $400 for an extra key towards my next trip to Africa. And then there's the savings of not having to carry collision insurance. Big $$$!! Yeah, being a rich bum has its perks.

 

[noharleyyet]

Pay the tuition...carabiner a spare

 

[Deleted member 28227]

The spares for both our vehicles got lost in one of our moves... haven't had them for ~8 years

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

What's a spare? I like to live dangerously...keeps life from being to boring.

 

[FI460]

The spares for both our vehicles got lost in one of our moves... haven't had them for ~8 years

I'm sure you pack a screwdriver. That's a spare for a Corolla.

 

[LuketheDog]

What's a spare? I like to live dangerously...keeps life from being to boring.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I'm sure you pack a screwdriver. That's a spare for a Corolla.

+ hammer, if you know you know

Sorry @DouglasR I lied… just found the subie keys in the junk drawer.