Spare Keys for Camry - Do I Need to Be Ripped off?

justtoreply on 02/03/2021 - 11:41
Last edited 02/03/2021 - 12:05

I'm wondering if I'm locked in to paying $$$ for a spare key for my Camry?

Rego lookup on supercheap auto identifies my car as:
Toyota Camry Auto ASV50R ASV50 12/2011 ~ 10/2017

Years ago this was an issue with my Hyundai Elantra where they wanted $130 for a key, $220 for a fob, $150 to encode it. And there was only one business other than Hyundai that seemed to have the machine that could actually encode it. Had to use genuine parts on that one at the time.

Hoping I don't need to spend $500ish again..

Edit: I called a locksmith and they said aftermarket parts are available for the Camry and I was quoted $199 for an encoded key. Is this reasonable? Genuine Toyota parts was $410 for an encoded key.

Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • bobbified on 02/03/2021 - 11:50
    +8

    Well, you've just said that you paid around $550 for a Hyundai key a few years ago, so do you think the $199 for a complete Camry key is reasonable? I'd say so.

    If you another comparison, an Audi key is:

    Key bit and laser cut: $190
    Fob: $890
    Coding/programming: $250
    Total $1,330! 😱

    • justtoreply on 02/03/2021 - 12:08

      Who knows. It varies so much with different models as you've just shown. Maybe Toyota's are readily cuttable and encodable at any locksmith and the keys are cheap off ebay…

      Whereas the Hyundai there was literally one company other than Hyundai that had the relevant encoder. I got locked in.

      $410 is a bit much, $199 isn't bad, but cheaper is better.
      (PS: I edited my post to add the cost with genuine parts)

      • bobbified on 02/03/2021 - 12:12

        As long as it works, personally, I'd opt for the aftermarket key at less than half the price of the genuine key.

    • tsunamisurfer on 02/03/2021 - 16:28
      +3

      FFS $1330???

      They told me around $800 for my Q5.

      Touch wood we never have to buy one, the key gets looked after better than my children.

      • bobbified on 02/03/2021 - 16:29

        FFS $1330???

        Tell me about it…

        They told me around $800 for my Q5.

        Is yours one of those "advanced" keys that you can just keep in your pocket?

        • tsunamisurfer on 02/03/2021 - 16:43

          I am not sure about advanced or non-advanced but yes it is keyless entry where the key stays in your pocket / man bag and I can just touch the handle and it will unlock and press the button and the car will start.

          Funny thing is the Surf Key or Convenience key (a strong plastic key meant to be taken to go swimming or water sports) would ALSO cost around $800.

          What car do you have that's $1300 for a key? R8?

          • bobbified on 02/03/2021 - 16:56

            @tsunamisurfer: I wish I had an R8, but I don't! I've got the TT. It sounds like we've got the same/similar key systems though so I can't see why there would be such a big price difference! Unless some dealers like to jack their prices up (Zagame!)

            Funny thing is the Surf Key or Convenience key (a strong plastic key meant to be taken to go swimming or water sports) would ALSO cost around $800.

            That's just…. I can't write what I want to write here!

            btw I won't give you shit about your manbag if you don't give me shit about the hairdressers car! 🤣

            • tsunamisurfer on 02/03/2021 - 17:03

              @bobbified: Sorry $800 was the price quoted when the sales manager handed over the keys (2013) and warned me not to lose it lest I wish to lose $800.

              The Audi Inflation rate will have pushed it up since then.

              • bobbified on 02/03/2021 - 17:07

                @tsunamisurfer:

                Sorry $800 was the price quoted when the sales manager handed over the keys (2013)

                Ah, that makes more sense! My pricing was from 2019 when I went into the dealer to get a quote. I wouldn't be surprised if it's closer to $1500 now!

            • spackbace on 02/03/2021 - 18:14
              +1

              @bobbified:

              btw I won't give you shit about your manbag if you don't give me shit about the hairdressers car!

              It's ok, we're all silently laughing at you both ;)

  • spackbace on 02/03/2021 - 11:51

    Edit: I called a store and they said aftermarket parts are available for the Camry and I was quoted $199 for an encoded key. Is this reasonable?

    Flip key or proximity key?

    • justtoreply on 02/03/2021 - 12:04

      Regular key (not flip) with inbuilt remote. Not a proximity.

      • Neilzy on 02/03/2021 - 13:51
        +2

        Not sure about the newer toyotas but back when i had both jzx100 chaser and jzx110 mk2 I was able to program both new replacement keys to them myself using a sequence (involves sitting in the car and doing a seq of inserting removing key, locking unlocking door and stepping on the brakes). Maybe do a search on some forums like ToyotaNation to see if you can do the same. I think i paid $90ish for the keys with the transponder&remote. got them from amayama.com

        • jellykingdom on 02/03/2021 - 15:53

          Yeah i did this for my Corolla. Similar price. i don't remember where i got the key from…. I used the old key (which i had broken) so i didn't need to recut anything but had to reprogram the door unlock function. It doesn't work anywhere near as good as the factory original…………………………………

        • justtoreply on 02/03/2021 - 15:58

          What about cutting the key tho?

          • Neilzy on 02/03/2021 - 16:14
            +1

            @justtoreply: Key can be cut from anywhere (provided its standard key with the teeth on the outside edge i guess. I had mine cut at a mister mint at a local shopping centre.

  • xdigger on 02/03/2021 - 12:11
    +1

    Made an exact copy of the original car keys (key cut, fob, encoding, the works) for the missus 2015 Toyota Kluger for $250 with a after-market shop in Brisbane (not a stealership). Works fine all these years when I had to use the Kluger. Had an ABN receipt and 1-year warranty which we didn't need to use at all. Don't get ripped off. That was 5 years ago though.

  • netjock on 02/03/2021 - 13:58
    +2

    $199 is cheap. Go for that.

    I got told losing a 2020 Corolla Hybrid key is about $900 to replace by the dealer so don't lose it!

  • pao2x on 02/03/2021 - 14:08

    If you are in Syd
    https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2794140730849089/?…

    this guy did it 5 years ago for $130

  • Zachary on 02/03/2021 - 14:48

    Oh man if you thought $500 was a rip off, what about me paying $2k (or was it 1k? can't remember) for a set of mazda 3 keys because I lost the only set that came with the car when I decided to go for a beach swim…keys apparently fell out of pockets and somewhere in deep ocean or shore….or dug in sand somewhere now….someone probably had found it and thought "Aw wicked free keys! Now to test this on every mazda car that's on the car bay….hehehehehe…" or something….

    I was like "What am I made of - money?" Hahahhaa

  • dogboy on 02/03/2021 - 14:53
    +1

    Don't ask how much the Audi keys are :'(

  • Euphemistic on 02/03/2021 - 15:16

    Do you need the whole key or are you repairing a broken one? The electronic bit inside and programming it to the car is the expensive bit normally.

    I replaced a RAV4 key quite cheaply when the plastic housing broke as it only needed the body of the key replaced. The remote buttons were switched to the new key and no programming was required.

    Similarly, bought a flip key blank to replace the standard key for my Nissan and has it cut by a local locksmith for a total of under $30 but needed to use the existing electronics.

    • spackbace on 02/03/2021 - 15:38

      Yeah, same with VE Commo keys - the button pad regularly looks like shit after a few years. These are less than $10 or so through Holden Parts for that keypad :)

    • justtoreply on 02/03/2021 - 15:57

      They were lost, so I need them replaced. I have one and need a spare.

  • axlfan on 02/03/2021 - 20:57

    I got a spare flip key made for my Elantra for $99 at the airport west shopping centre.

  • Cheeper on 02/03/2021 - 22:09
    +2

    No need to pay the rip off fees…
    A friend bought a second key for a 2007 Camry through Ebay and had it cut at the local supermarket. Cost of cutting was under $10 at that time. The key itself was not expensive but cant remember the exact cost.

    The 2007 Camry programmed the new key itself.

    The process in doing this was widely described on the internet and was easy to follow.
    It involved a sequence of opening and closing the door, depressing the brake pedal?, scratching your nose with your left hand whilst standing on one foot… (lol joking) Contrary to what the guy that cut the key said it did work. He wanted to charge some rip off fee to do it in his key programming machine.

    The main thing to remember is to allow time at the end of the process for the process to complete when doing it in the car.

    Search the net … i'm sure yours will do the same.

    • frugalferret on 02/03/2021 - 23:51

      works for the Hilux too. Paid less than $50 for the blank with chip inside. Got key cut for $5 at local hardware. Put original key in, turn to acc, followed weird open door, press brake 3 times, close door, lock doors, open door, put blank key in, press brake pedal a few times, then Hazzard lights flashed and the key worked fine.

      Mercedes work van……..$800

      • justtoreply on 03/03/2021 - 07:42

        So.. They don't need to be laser cut? I presume your local hardware store used a lathe?

  • whooah1979 on 02/03/2021 - 22:12

    Flip key with chip on eBay $30 to $60. Key cut $15 to $20.

  • Tleyx on 03/03/2021 - 00:04

    Key costs should be like capped price servicing when you buy a new car

    • spackbace on 03/03/2021 - 02:03

      Why? Why should the manufacturer subsidise spare key replacement costs?

      • Tleyx on 03/03/2021 - 09:50

        I am saying 900 us not their cost

  • OzHunterNSW on 03/03/2021 - 10:12

    Why do you need a spare key? Think about it.

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