My daughter has a 2000 model Toyota Corolla, but only one key. It's an immobiliser type, and the local locksmith wants $139 for a new key!
I can see immobiliser blanks starting at $30 on eBay, but I'm not sure whether to trust them (they are interstate), nor am I sure anyone would cut blanks that they did not provide themselves.
Does anyone know of a bargain way to get a couple of extra keys? We're in the outer east of Melbourne.
Thanks.
Mister Minit were the dearest price I've got so far, at $179 to cut and clone the key. Another small locksmith at the same shopping centre quoted me $120 then said they could do it for $100.
The locksmith that the local Toyota car dealer said to go to quoted $139. I have the code, but the dealer-recommended locksmith said it was up to me whether I wanted the key copied or a new one cut from the code. He said that the lock will be worn as much as the key, so it really didn't matter. Mister Minit cannot cut the key from the code.
The three locksmiths were all just going to clone the original key, rather than program the car. That worries me - maybe the blank keys from eBay do not have a code already programmed into them, and can only be cloned?
I got a key from Mr Minit and I think it was $155. Was a 10 minute job.
I have some key tools including a cloning machine but am in Sydney. I would clone it for you (free) as its very easy to do, but I would need your car key unfortunately. Also, keys may look the same but have different transponder frequencies. While some keys are cloneable, some keys aren't and will require programing of the immobiliser.
The ebay ones are pretty good, especially if it's just for a spare. Make sure you have a look at the seller ratings first.
Remember that an ebay key will require a locksmith to cut it for you (and also program it if you have trouble with it yourself), which will cost at least $30. So depending on how cheap the ebay key is you may end up paying not far off the same price as the locksmith one and you still have the gamble/hassle of getting a locksmith to cut it and hoping that it works.
The other thing to consider- is it actually an immobiliser as well as central locking or just a central locking key? If you can't tell, you could just get a cheapie no-name key cut at Bunnings and try it out in the carpark. If the car starts and runs, voila! If it doesn't, at least you have one spare key for getting in and out of the doors while you look for the more expensive full-function key.
Note that a proper locksmith will probably not use your existing key to cut the new one; he'll be able to look up the code for that key pattern and cut you a fresh exact copy of what the key is supposed to look like. Your Mr Minit type people will be cheaper but will cut based on a direct copy of your existing key, which will probably still work but is not quite as good because your existing key is 14 years old now and likely quite worn.