99 Countour Deal - No Keys - Cost for replacement?

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Can't get a key code for that year, can only get them for 2006 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles currently.


I still have the key code that I got with my 1995 Ford Escort when I bought it new....


You are in the minority sir. People lose their keys all the time and then somehow it is the dealer's fault that replacements are so expensive. Also Ford does not tie keys to VINs, so these newer models were 4 or 5 different key options a VIN will not tell me the key the vehicle comes with. We have a lookup with pictures of the keys and we have to match it up that way. Worst part are customer cannot tell us what kind of key they had. It is a huge issue for parts people because we catch the heat from people when we just try to get them what they want.

 

[HangFire]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
You are in the minority sir. People lose their keys all the time and then somehow it is the dealer's fault that replacements are so expensive. Also Ford does not tie keys to VINs, so these newer models were 4 or 5 different key options a VIN will not tell me the key the vehicle comes with. We have a lookup with pictures of the keys and we have to match it up that way. Worst part are customer cannot tell us what kind of key they had. It is a huge issue for parts people because we catch the heat from people when we just try to get them what they want.


Whose fault is it when the dealer tells you your Ford is more than 10 years old and they can't even look up what the key is? BTW I bought it used and never thought to ask for the key code.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Can't get a key code for that year, can only get them for 2006 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles currently.


I still have the key code that I got with my 1995 Ford Escort when I bought it new....


You are in the minority sir. People lose their keys all the time and then somehow it is the dealer's fault that replacements are so expensive. Also Ford does not tie keys to VINs, so these newer models were 4 or 5 different key options a VIN will not tell me the key the vehicle comes with. We have a lookup with pictures of the keys and we have to match it up that way. Worst part are customer cannot tell us what kind of key they had. It is a huge issue for parts people because we catch the heat from people when we just try to get them what they want.


I have a 1996 Contour, built in Oct 1995. I don't believe the car has the PAT system. It is unlike my 2002 F-150 key and I don't have a "theft" light like my 2002 F-150 has. Luckily most low life car thieves can't drive a manual transmission

.

Whimsey

 

[bdcardinal]

The older cars are easier to look up keys on because there were only usually one key option. Depending on the year, the newer Explorers had up to 6 different key styles available.

We can get the keys for the older cars no problem, it is the cut code to cut the key to the car that is the problem.

 

[901Memphis]

Talked to another locksmith who said if i bring the title to his office he can look up something on the computer and cut the key in the office for $55. According to his system, since this countour is the base model, it doesn't have VATS, but the SE V6 did, so hopefully this all works out i am going to try to get there tomorrow but he will only be there til 2 pm tomorrow otherwise will have to go on Monday.

Interestingly enough he had to look something up in his computer to make sure he can do the keys on the weekend? Must be something with the key codes looking up in the system idk?

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Interestingly enough he had to look something up in his computer to make sure he can do the keys on the weekend? Must be something with the key codes looking up in the system idk?


A lot more thefts on the weekend. I love when shady people come to my counter with a VIN scribbled on a napkin wanting a key made. They can't get out of there fast enough when I ask for all the ownership info.

 

[901Memphis]

When the guy found out that I can get a key for $60 he's having second thoughts, I don't know if he's going to sell it now.

 

[901Memphis]

Yep he officially backed out and is probably getting the new key and keeping it.

 

[pottymouth]

Chalk it up to a lesson learned. Never show a motivated seller how cheap and easy it will be to fix the car he hasn't sold you yet.

 

[eljefino]

Throw him a good whine for reneging on you. Say you just mail ordered $550 in tires that only fit that car or something.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
When the guy found out that I can get a key for $60 he's having second thoughts, I don't know if he's going to sell it now.


Why did you tell him you could get a key for $60? You never tell the seller how cheaply you can get something fixed. Just haggling 101. You always go with some crazy number like the dealer wants $300 for a new key, how about I pay you $150 for the car?

 

[01rangerxl]

Ouch...yeah a lot of these kinds of deals are because someone is either too lazy or simply not able to deal with car problems. If he had just called a locksmith like you did, he would have found that out on his own, but he was at selling the car for $200 before even figuring out he should call someone with expertise in car keys. Some peoples minds are just blown by stuff like this.

 

[901Memphis]

It's a co workers car I've known him for a couple of years, I honestly never thought he'd back out it sounded like he was tired of not having reverse, something I was willing to try. He seemed like he just wanted to sell it before it got towed, but it's OK.

I think it would have been a headache anyway... I mean how do you change the oil with no reverse!? I love my ramps!

 

[Vikas]

why do you need reverse to change the oil? Do you backup on the ramps? Is the engine in the back of the car? Did I miss the fact that you are buying a rear-engine car? No wonder you are not happy to lose such a great deal on an old 911 !

 

[Wolf359]

You need reverse to go down the ramp. Going up is no problem. I always thought it easier to just use a jack and some jack stands. With a ramp I always felt you needed 2 people to make sure you go up even and stop at the top of the ramp.

 

[Tdbo]

Neutral + a swift push on the front snout of the car = Reverse.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis


... I mean how do you change the oil with no reverse!? I love my ramps!


With my 1996 Zetec Contour I can easily drain the oil with the car on the ground then I jack the passenger side up, remove the front tire and now easily remove the oil filter. Otherwise without the suspension drooping the oil filter is a bear to remove without spilling oil all over.