I have been reading the huge post on programming new remote. Can someone confirm for certain what I would need since the only thing I have is the valet key. Do I need to get a new "main key" from dealer first and pay them to program it and then do programming for new remote or someone said something about buying a blank key or something.

A quick, "what I need in my current situation" would be appreciated.

Love, absolutely love my 2005 RX8.

 

They should be able to look up your key code using your VIN and make you a new key. Probably won't be cheap .

 

They're going to charge you about $170 per key, so you should call up whoever you bought the car from and look into getting the original keys. They're damned expensive, and the valet key won't open the glove compartment/trunk IIRC.

I hope you at least got a remote with it.

 

Did you know that the key you got was only the valet key when you purchased car? Did the original ower loose both keys? How can he/she not give you at least one main key? I purchased '04 rx8 recently and got one original main key and fob. No valet, either. Called dealer and they want over $300 for key, transmitter, cutting and programming. Unfortunately, you will have to at least get dealer to program...as do I. I'm getting my retractable key and tansmitter from rx8garage for ~$170. Dealer program ~ $70. Good luck to ya!

 

Nope. Just got the valet key. Bought at auction so din't know it was valet key. I figure if they have the valet key they have to have the other or at least you would think they would. Can't open trunk, glove box or pass through. Thankfully last two weren't locked.

 

You can get better prices on keys and fobs. fobs from an 04 will work and are about $10 used. You have no choice but to have the dealer program the key. You need 2 keys to program a third, there is no other way. Most dealers charge $50 for programming.

If you only have one key, you need the dealer. Also being that you only have the valet key, there is another tooth that needs to be cut. You need the dealer for that, as duplicating your key cut will only give you another valet key.

There is a wealth of info on this if you do a search.

 

Getting a non-valet key from the dealer is relatively easy and cheap. The expensive part is if you want the remote entry. They cannot simply get the code using the vin number, they have to completely reprogram your system. It should be about $170 per key with remote.

 

You need two non-valet keys to re-code a key yourself. If you have two, you can DIY more keys in about 5 minutes. If you don't have two keys, you have to go to the dealer. They keys have chips in them that need to be coded to the car. If you don't code them the key will turn the ignition, but the engine won't start.

I'm about 90% sure that the remote keyless entry is the easy part. Once you have two good working keys, you can teach your 8 any keyless remote, even if none of them came with the car. The assumption is that if you have two working keys, what's the harm in teaching the car a new remote? You already have two keys! When I got an '05 key/remote, I don't think I needed my old remotes at all to add the remote part of the key.

 

dsmdriver is correct in saying you can program any remote to work with the car but, if he only has the valet key, its a safe assumption he doesnt posses the code. With no code, everything has to be reprogramed with a new code(both key and remote). Thats why its expensive.

 

I was in a similar situation. Got only one key. So I bought a new one from Rosenthal. Programmed the remote myself. Took about 3 mins. Cut the key at Ace for $4. Got it programmed at the dealer ~$95. There's no other option. Have to take all the crap Mazda dealers give you. Either they think that we are fools to believe that programming a key takes one full hour or they are fools for not being able to read those simple instructions and use a windows based program.

 

Was the one key you originally got a valet key or a regular key ?

 

^^^ Regular key. I did not get the valet

 

I bought a used 8 also but didn't know it came with a valet key. Do the valet keys need to be programmed also?

 

Well, right you had a key that opened all locks on car (trunk, glove box, pass-through). A valet key only opens door and starts car.

 

When i added my 2cents, I was thinking about the key that folds into remote. I forgot not all 8's had this. If you just getting a standard key, cost should be very little, even from the dealer. 04 remotes are very east to program.

 

An update to my Saga. Finally got new keys from Mazda. Reprogrammed them. Went in to pick up keys and car and they said here is a main key and here is a valet key. I needed two normal keys and argued with them about gettitng another valet key when I already had one originally. This particular dealership is brainless.

So They refunded the $40 they charged me for the valet key. I now have a reprogrameed set of keys. One main key, one valet key. Is that enough to program a remote ?

Also, idiot dealership said there was no other remote for a 2005 Rx8 other than the switchblde style. That is completely wrong isn't it ? I have seen noraml remotes cliaming to work on 2005 RX8

 

I love my switchblade keys, why would you want something else?? And no, you dont need two keys to program a remote.

 

The 2004 and 2005 keys are interchangable. There are excellent write ups in the DIY section on the programming of both keys and keyless entry remotes.

If you want keyless entry, you can get either a 2005 key/remote combo or a 2004 remote.
The 2005 combo has the coolness factor and less bulk, but also a lot more $$. You can get 2004 remotes on Ebay pretty inexpensively. You can program both/either by following the instructions in the DIY.