Just thought I'd give an update on my dd's car key status JIC anyone else runs into a similar situation and wants an idea of the cost:
We went to a Dodge dealership and it cost us $85 + sales tax to have an extra key made for her car and to program the key for her car. (There IS a computer chip inside the key that has to be programmed in order for the key to work with the car.) It only took them about 15 minutes to do. (FYI - I also asked at the dealership if there should have been a keyless remote for/with the car and they checked the VIN # for it and said yes, there should have been.)

We're taking her car back to the dealership where we purchased it on Tues. 8/21 to have them check out the CD player/changer since we can't get a CD in it and the radio just shows an error msg when it's in the CD mode, according to my dd.

So hopefully the dealership where we got the car will reimburse us for the cost of having the spare key made as they promised - I'll give them a copy of the receipt on Tues. when we go to have the CD player/changer looked at. I'm still going to ask them about programming at least 1 remote for it for us for FREE. (According to the dealership where we had the key made/programmed, it costs $42.50 for just the keyless remote and another $32.50 for programming the remote.[sm=smiley3.gif] )

That salesman that sold my dh the car for our dd is also going to learn that it costs more than a "few dollars" to have a spare key made for the car and that he shouldn't recommend a store/place unless he knows for sure himself that it will work.

- Cheryl

 

The changer was an option, you could've added it in to the car if you bought new. I definitely would recommend going to the dealer and having them look at it, but you should just be able to push the number and load the cd and so on and then choose the cd and then from the headunit seek through songs or whatever.

The keys are definitely expensive. I know fortunately for me when I bought my 03 Neon from the dealer we got 2 keys and 2 remotes. It's ridiculous that they wouldn't do that. What if one of you loses the remote, you still want to have around just in case, they should definitely do that. Squeak them for all they're worth, they can afford it!

As for the keys, yes, I was told only the dealer can have it done. They're really expensive and also can be affected and ruined by some car starters if the key lays next to the remote car starter. So also, beware if you decide to install a car starter for the winter that you make sure it won't ruin the key for the car, or you will have a nice "block" sitting on your driveway.

Good luck! Keep us posted!