[cb1978]

Ive been a long time reader in this forum and am getting some very good information on the IS. I am planning on purchasing one in august when i grad. anyhow, i was told the other day by someone that if you loose your key it will cost you $2000 to replace it. Is that true? The source that told me this does not have a lexus, so i dont know if he really knows what he is talking about.

 

[RLNPHAT]

Actually, I think it is about $3K if you lose your keys. Remember, you get 3 keys when you get the car (2 masters and 1 valet). If you lose all 3, they then have to replace the transponder inside the vehicle as well as reprogramming the keys.

If you lose only 1 key, you can get a replacement for under $500.

 

[s0yb0mb]

Yes, it is QUITE expensive, because the keys have a fairly sophisticated electronic ignition device that uses "rolling" codes to verify they key, so even a copy won't start the car, you need the actual Lex key.
If you were to loose the 2 master keys, and needed to get new ones, they cannot simply get you new ones, i believe they must replace all the car locks as well

 

[jiggs]

doesn't the tag that came on your first set of keys tell lexus what type of keys to order for your car...? I'll have a hard time paying $500 for a lost key

...I know there are a lot of cars that now use this key feature and their replacement keys aren't that much..?

 

[jiggs]

I just had to look and here's what I found:
http://detnews.com/1999/autos/9906/06/06050043.htm

looks like it you lose one, you better get another key made off your master, its like $45...3,000 if you lose everything and have to get the entire system reinstalled.