Key Fob Reality Check...

Rolf?!??

Whats with the...

"...In what world do I live in..."

Wth, did I say/do anything to offend you??!? Where did this insult come from? In all 5 years that I've owned my LEXUS GX470 SUV it has been considers at "TRUCK" across all reviews and has won 4X4 magazine's best truck in 2003 & 2004 because its a truck BODY on FRAME vs. Unibody "car" chasis like the RX350/RX400...

Hence the term truck. If you own one you would know, because quite a few of us consider our GX470 as a truck with full 4X4 off road capabilities... Read the Lexus forums and SUV forums where the GX470 is considers a full class SUV truck...

Quote:
Awards
The Lexus GX has won various awards including 4-Wheeler of the Year in 2003 and 2004 from 4x4 Magazine, and Automobile Magazine All-Star for 2003 in the Mid-Size Sport-Utility category.[18] J.D. Power and Associates named the GX 470 the highest ranked premium luxury SUV in initial quality in 2005,[19] and Kelley Blue Book gave the GX 470 its Best Resale Value Award in 2006.[20]

Link:
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GX]Lexus GX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Quote:

"...The Loveable Soft-Truck based SUV..."

"...Still, the GX's V8 offers unmatched refinement and above-average fuel economy for a truck-based SUV (15 mpg city/18 mpg highway)..."

URL:
Full Test: 2003 Lexus GX 470

Ignorance on part regarding TRUCK chassis vs. CAR chassis on your part doesn't excuse your RUDE reply!!!!

PS> The EBAY blanks that I bought were not TOYOTA blanks but a very good replica. I'm sure that there are other EBAY dealers that have the genuine article, but in MY EXPERIENCE, the two FOBS that I picked up in 2008 were NOT. Hence the reason I added YMMV in my first post. NOTE - I'm NOT attacking the original EBAY vendor that I purchased the FOB from, I'm still glad I picked it up and significant $$ savings from going back to LEXUS dealer directly. AGAIN, YMMV when dealing with EBAY so that IF JT (OP) wishes to purchase one, he is now armed with the info to ask SELLER additional detailed questions before purchasing...

JT - My sincerest apologies for "hijacking" this thread wiht the LEXUS comments... I won't bother replying on this thread again until ROLF apologizes for his RUDE reply and I certainly wish you the very best of luck regardless were you go to get your replacement key fob...

 

I have seen the "OEM" keyfobs from Ebay that upon close inspection appear different, and actually are, but it's not because they are knockoffs, it's because they are made by different suppliers. Toyota (and the other automakers) usually have multiple suppliers for such things so they aren't beholden to one supplier. In other words, they want to make sure they don't get ripped off! =)

On some makes I have seen no less than 4 different OEM's for one fob!

This has got me thinking that it may be advantageous to clone the transponder with a cheap circuit and have a backup mechanical key. At least if you have these 2 things, the car is fully operational. Obviously on a Gen III, the key cutting is less trivial, but you do not need a laser (nor is one used) to cut them. A simple CNC micro-mill like the kind used for drilling/cutting PCBs (printed circuit boards) should be able to cut one.

I might look into offering this service in the future if there is still a demand.

 

So has anyone actually got the dealer to program a GIII FOB from ebay?

 

I couldn't agree more. While I too really enjoy the SKS, if I had known what the fobs cost and had a choice, I would not have got it; or at least I would have negotiated 1 or 2 extra fobs as part of my purchase.

I could buy a brand new computer for less than one of these fobs, and while there are some economies of scale involved, it's not like Toyota is making only a hundred of these.

I very much like my Prius, but of all the things I could complain about, the fob cost irritates me the most (yes, even more than my centre console rattle). And the retort that "everyone does it" doesn't wash, no more than it would if one of my kids got caught shop-lifting because "everyone else was doing it".

I've ranted about this before and complained to Toyota but of course unless A LOT of us complain, nothing is going to change. I STRONGLY encourage everyone to write Toyota a vitriolic letter expressing our displeasure!

 

Yeah, it's monopolistic behavior to be sure. I almost think that the reason for all the "security" isn't really to prevent our cars from being stolen, it's to protect this cash cow!

 

I love our 2010 Prius, but we already paid a premium in terms of price. Paying $350 to replace a Smart Key is nuts. (I know the mechanical key can be replaced by buying a blank on eBay or wherever and having my locksmith cut it for under $20.) But if if the fob is the only way of starting the car, it's THE key to me. I'm terrified of losing it.

I do computer database and network consulting, and cannot understand why Toyota makes setting up a fob such a Byzantine operation. Or is the problem that most dealers are uncomfortable with or afraid of the sorts of procedures and usual aggravations necessary to accomplish a task like this? I'm not blaming dealers -- they probably don't get to set up enough fobs to ever become familiar with the procedure.

If so, why doesn't Toyota provide training to independent consultants who might provide this service to dealerships or to owners? There are so many kids coming out of school for whom this would be a snap, and I'm sure Toyota can manage the security issues. And if someone sets up Smart Keys frequently, the task should become relatively simple, or at least straightforward. Ans so much cheaper.

Something's wrong here.

 

x

 

I bought an extra keyfob and laser door key from my dealer. I paid $280 for the fob and door key in the parts dept., then had the service dept. program the fob ($54.95) and walked over to the Lexus dealer and they cut the door key ($27.00).
This is a hide a key deal for me. I put the keyfob in a plastic bag, wrapped it in foil and then hid it in the spare tire well. the door key is in a compartment on the outside of the car. Just need a screwdriver to get to it.
To make sure the fob was not "connecting" to the car I locked the doors and put my existing key away from the car. I walked over and tried to open the door. the door stayed locked. I then unlocked the car and put the fob back away from the car. I got in and tried to start the car. I got an error message in the display that the key was not present. Voila! just what I wanted to see.
Yes, the whole deal was $350, but I travel a bit, and If I lost my keyfob, My poor wife would have to drive across L.A. in rush hour to get me the spare she has. The griping I would have to hear would not be fun. Avoiding that makes $350 seem positively cheap!