iluvny

Don't see a list of dealers on the site and apparently Sewell doesn't carry it anymore

Cacophony

My key had cracked for a 2001 RX300.

At first, I glued it together with super glue right around where the screw is (that's where it broke), but it broke again within a few weeks.

So, I ended up getting a key shell for $5 from Amazon.

The Lexus dealership wanted to charge something outrageous just to cut it. Might have been $50 or something. Don't remember.

I ended up getting it cut at Ace Hardware for around $5, I think. Works great. You need the guts from the old key, as the car won't start without the electronics in the key.

maorsela

Really? Ace can cut the key? they got a laser machine?

A local dealer in Chicago quoted me $25 to cut, $370 for a new key, $150 to program it. Bought a an uncut shell on ebay for $3

I'll check with my local Ace. Thanks for the tip!

iluvny

Yea, I wondered about that myself. Just called my local Ace store (it's just a year old) and they said "no way".

hypervish

You need to find a place that can cut "sidewinder" keys. Very rarely will you find that at a hardware store.

Dealership is usually the cheapest, most convenient option.

stkgator

I just had two RX300 keys cut at my local Ace Hardware store today. They charged $10.00 to cut each key.

Cacophony

As I said, my Ace Hardware was able to do it.

It was NOT a laser cut, it was just another one of those grinder kind of machines, but it was able to cut a channel down the middle of the key. Maybe it was a "sidewinder" like hypervish said.

I guess I was just lucky. Pretty sure they only charged $5 too.

It may not help you, but this is the place:

http://acejohnscreek.com

Maybe they could tell you what kind of machine and if they know of any other Ace stores in your area that may have that kind of machine.

maorsela

ha, I just called the local store (http://www.genevaace.com/), the guy said it's the sidewinder thingy, and they do not guarantee the cut, he'll have me sign a 'contract'. Worth trying either way, much better than the hassle of the dealership, and the $25 the dealership charges...

Thanks Cacophony!

EDIT: Just called another Ace near me, it's actually acehardware.com and not a specific url like yours and the one in downtown, so I guess not all Ace stores are the same, or have the same equipment. They said they cannot cut it. I'll just try the one in downtown...

Cacophony

Yeah, I just put the specific URL in case anyone wanted to call the store that I used and ask what kind of machine it is that they have.

My store also gave me a warning that they do NOT guarantee the cut. I didn't have to sign a contract, they just told me verbally.

But I figured, the key was $5 and the cut was $5, so worst case I'd be out $10 if it didn't work. (Pretty sure my dealer wanted $50 just to cut the thing, which is ridiculous.)

Also, others (on Amazon I think) had said that if it didn't work the first time, the guy may just need to run through the cuts again.

But mine worked first try. Just make sure that you have the electronics in the key (or nearby), or the car won't start.

shumif1

Any lexus dealer can cut you a new one $65.00 as long as your transponder is ok.

iluvny

Are you saying that includes the key, or just the cut?

iluvny

As it turns out, all 21 Ace stores, within 30 miles of where I live, are all owned by the same family. So no "sidewinder" for me. Maybe a local locksmith can do it.

hypervish

Have you asked your local Lexus dealership?

Lexus of Bridgewater cut mine for $30. Local locksmith wanted $300.

iluvny

Yes, they wanted $100.00 (Smithtown)

I find it difficult to believe that any legitimate locksmith would charge $300 to cut a key. That's just crazy.

Edit: I just called my local locksmith and they charge $38.00

hypervish

Yeah, it was absurd. But, he was dead serious.

$38 isn't bad.