So after 3 years of kicking myself for selling my old 94 GSR, I was finally able to pick-up another one - w00t! I brought home a 00 GSR from an individual yesterday for a good price, however it needs some TLC (hence the good price). One of the issues is that it only has a valet key. The title is clean and the carfax came back clean as well; so i'd like to assume someone was just careless and misplaced the key.

What are my options as far as getting a master key? I've already transferred the title and registration and everythings legal so the "identification" part shouldn't be much of a problem. Do I have to go to a Honda/Acura dealer for this? Should I lube up before I go? What can I expect them to rape me for this?

thanks guys,
-Mike

 

since its a 00 i believe it has the imobilizer in it and they key will be roughly about 50$ i think thats what i hear at acura...

 

well, i called the local acura dealer... she said that since i didn't have a master key, it would cost more to cut the key, as they didn't have one to "copy". she said they'd have to program the key as well. she said expect it to run well over $100, probably around $150.

ouch. seems a bit steep for a key...

can Honda do this as well? or only Acura?

 

150 dollars does not sound all that unsual for your key, if you have to get a key from saab they do the same thing. And your going to need it from the acura dealer

 

hmm are you sure? i don't think they need a key to copy. when i got my master key w/o a immobolizer they only needed the vin # and typed some stuff up in the computer and 30 seconds later viola my key was made. mayb try and call a differrent dealer just to check?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zeroz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmm are you sure? i don't think they need a key to copy. when i got my master key w/o a immobolizer they only needed the vin # and typed some stuff up in the computer and 30 seconds later viola my key was made. mayb try and call a differrent dealer just to check?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with this, there is a unique key code for every key, so that it can be duplicated based on the VIN or with the the little metal key code fob that comes on your keychain (when new, which I doubt they have anymore). As long as the dealer has that serial #/vin # info, they should be able to do it for the regular price of around $50, as long as you show proof of ownership.

Try calling a bunch of different dealers, or Honda of America, they can tell you what is and what isn't possible. You might try contact 'Len' (H-T username) from Barranco Acura, he probably has inside info for you to avoid getting ripped off by another dealership.

 

You might be able to get by with just the valet key.

I think the valet key opens everything except the glove compartment. So you have two options, neither of which requires that you have a key cut by code:

1. Just don't lock the glove compartment.

2. If you really find the need to lock your glove compartment, ask a friend in some other city, who owns a Honda/Acura car, if you can get a copy of their car key. I'm pretty sure ANY key to ANY Honda/Acura car that opens the glove compartment, opens the glove compartment to EVERY Honda/Acura car. So a copy of their car key should open your glove compartment.

 

The valet key won't open the hatch either. And to my surprise, I dont have a hatch release like I did on my 94 GSR. Or I'm an idiot. How do I go about opening my hatch? Did they get rid of the hatch release? or move it?

 

They got rid of the hatch release due to theft issues.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MrAngry &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They got rid of the hatch release.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, now you just have to unlock the door, and the hatch is automatically unlocked. Then you have to use the little level underneath the hatch handle (move it to the right) to open the trunk. It's not that bad once you get used to it. The good thing is that the hatch is unlocked whenever your car is, so you don't have to reach down for the lever. But the bad thing is you may have a hard time locating the hatch lever in the dark or when your hands are full.

 

someimte check those key making places in the middle of the malls that have keys for sale, i went and bouthgt one for about 30 bucks with code and everything, but then again i had a key for them to copy from

 

$100-$150 is not a bad price.

They take your VIN # and make a Key using that. But since those keys came with a chip, they have to program the key/chip too.

My friend payed $120 for his 2001 Ford Focus. And that was a deal because his mom was friends with the guy. (He was just a locksmith).

Try calling a locksmith and see how much they can do it for.

So anywhere from $100-$200 for a new key is not that bad. Since you got a good deal on the car, whats the problem with spending a few dollars to fix the problem.. You do need a key if you want to open your hatch easier.

 

here is what you do, call up a the dealership and say this is so and so from whatever dealership. Say you need a key made for a car you guys have at your dealership. Give em the vin. We did this and got one made for 12$.