The $673 Car Key

You may recall that my beloved purple Prius was totalled in December, and was replaced by a lovely silver one, same year, less mileage.  It doesn't stand out in a parking lot the way my old one did; the color doesn't make my heart skip a little, the way the old one did, but it's been a good replacement, in every way except one.

It only came with one key.

And it's not a master key, it's a valet key, which means it won't open the trunk.  Worse than that, it means that no other key can be programmed with it.  You need the master key to program a second key.

The only way I can get a second key made for this vehicle is if Toyota replaces the security module ($400 plus) and issues the car a new master key.  That will cost $573 total, for parts, labor and tax.

And if I had to spend that much to get a new key made, of course I would spend $100 more to get an extra one made.

Sooooo, if I lose the one key I have, I'll be spending $673 to be able to drive my car again.

Grrrrrrr.

If I lock my keys in the car it won't be the end of the world, because fortunately, my old Prius remotes could be programmed to go with the new car.  So I actually have three remotes that will unlock the doors, in that event.

But if I misplace my keys, I'm not goin' anywhere.  And if I lose that key....

What pressure.

Occasionally I have to lend my car to B16.  When I do, I press the key into his outstretched palm...

look deep into his eyes...

and say,

"If you lose this...

that'll be $673."