Mazda Dealership Remote Key Cost
 

Alright so today I was gonna go get the Viper alarm system installed on my car. The guys over at Sunbusters says they need both keys and remotes in order for the idatalink to be programmed. Well I know that when I got my 8 the spare key and remote looked like someone bent it. So I ended up taking the car home and schedule for another day. Anyways on my way back I stopped by a Mazda Dealership. I asked them how much is it to get a new key and remote. They told me $125 for the key alone and $400 for the remote. Those guys are crazy :Eyecrazy:, but then again this isn't your typical Remote since Mazda did tell me about the components inside the remote. But still that's a lot considering your only asking for the remote and key I can only imagine if I take my car in just for an oil change lol. Anyone else can tell me if I can get the same key and remote for less and program it? I have my spare remote and got it to work by pressing on the battery to use the remote.

It depends on what type of remote you have. Is it the prox card or the switchblade? I know from experience that the prox card can only be on board programmed if you already have 2 so you're sol there lol
Honestly though all you need is the key not the fob because the bypass module uses the frequency from the transponder chip in the key to start the car so there is no reason to have a fob present. It is a big security risk anyway because if the fob is always in the car anyone could drive off with it.
Just get the aux key, have it programmed, and you should be good to go. If need be I have a spare card I could hook you up with at a substantially lower price than the $400 dealer cost lol

I see, man they didn't tell me that. But it makes alot of sense, once that bypass module gets installed I'll have to sacrific the FOB but it's fine with me. I like the old school way of putting the key into the igition so that doesn't bother me. Man that sounds like a deal, just PM your price bro :) One thing the Mazda dealership did tell me, is that I wanted to have a traditional key programmed for my car but they told me only the remote smart key can be used to start the car due to the design, Is this true? I drive an 07 8.

Ok I don't think they understand what you're asking. The rx8 with prox card can have up to 7 cards and keys programmed to it. This means that technically you can use a different card/key combo every day of the week and the car wouldn't think anything of it.
The bypass module is designed to trick the car into thinking that the transponder key is in the ignition. Why they need to ruin a $400 smart card to install a remote start is beyond me. The only thing you'll lose by not using the fob anymore is the door and trunk buttons on the car itself.
You may need to purchase another transponder key to have programmed but you can find normal looking ones for cheaper than the factory square one that goes in the card. I think last time I looked they were $40 or something like that. So unless they're going to hack up your card and put the guts in the viper remote (which I doubt there's room for anyway) so that it utilizes the proximity function I see absolutely no reason that you need the card.
There are also bypass systems available that don't need a key so you could just get one of those and not have to sacrifice a key in the first place :-P I would ask them some more questions and report back with what they say lol If you have anymore questions just let me know and I'll try and help :-)

You need two programmed keys to program another key or even your idatalink. Without two pre programmed keys, you will need Mazda to do the programming as you have to have Mazda web access for the security codes to program a key when only one or none are present.

The idatalink model you have should not have to give up a key, but you still need two pre programmed keys to program it. It's basically another "chip key"/transponder, without the key portion.

Just use something else besides idatalink. No reason to spend all this extra money on its behalf :-P my aux key was programmed by a locksmith with no other keys present so if you take the idatalink to a locksmith they might be able to swing it without any other fobs present. But jrx13 is right, to do an "on board programming you need 2 keys and 2 fobs.

Well I have already bought the idatalink a few weeks ago. I have two keys/remotes but one is bent, it still works don't get me wrong just had a paper clip to hold the battery in place and works great. I know that in return of this install it will change some features to my 8 but in return for some fool who wants to mess/break into my 8 they'll have to work for it lol. When your working downtown and have your 8 parked sometimes next to the street you want some extra protection.

i have a question, mine is a 09 r3. i have 2 prox cards, but only one key. i want a switchblade cus the key falls out of the bottom of the card to easily. would a mazda dealer be able to program a switchblade or two for a spare if i had another key for the keyless prox card? i understand it sounds like ill have to put the key in the ignition if i go to a switchblade. i prefer the traditional as well so thats no problem. hope i made this clear.

+1

In a similar predicament, I love all the features of the prox card but would prefer to have it in the form factor of a switchblade, is it possible to get a switchblade style key that retains all the features of the prox card style key?

Hey did you ever get an answer to this question? I have two cards one kind of works but the key falls out the other doesnt seem to work but holds the key well.

For the key not staying in I took a sticky note and tore off only the sticky part, wrapped that around the base of the key shaft right against the plastic (without overlapping, 2 layers of paper was too thick.) and my key has never fallen out since.
You could probably put a layer of clear nail polish around the base to make it thicker if you actually planned on pulling your key out more than once in a blue moon if your layer was too thick just sand a bit off with very fine grit sand paper. I've pulled mine out a couple times with the paper on it and it goes back in fine I just have to hold the paper in place while I slide the key in.

My problem today is that I've lost my only key and the Mazda dealer is an hour and a half away. I work at a chevy dealer and my brother works at a ford dealer, my dealer doesn't think they can program it but due to fords relationship with Mazda I'd like to check and see if they can get access to Mazda's older codes to program a key for an 06.
What do you guys expect? can I get a non Mazda dealer to do it? (hopefully after work I can go re-trace my steps and find my key but it's not looking good)