Why You Dont Want a "Smart" Key!

[JustPassinThru]

A stupid "Smart" key is for people who have high-theft-rate vehicles and who live in areas of high theft.

I would question their choice of residence or, if that's un-changeable, their question of vehicle.

The Yaris is not a popular car in this country (it's only popular with those of us who OWN one ) and doesn't need that technology. What is a thief stealing? The car is relatively new and doesn't have earlier models to interchange stripped parts with. It's not a status car. It's not even good as a getaway car or joyride vehicle.

It's Escalades and Navigators and DeVilles that need the Smart Keys. Now, I'm not sure why anyone needs Escalades and Navigators and DeVilles...that's another issue.

[Kar98]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

The Yaris is not a popular car in this country (it's only popular with those of us who OWN one )

And not even every owner of one at that

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Kar98

And not even every owner of one at that

well very few!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

doesn't have earlier models to interchange stripped parts with

What about the ECHO ?

[JustPassinThru]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

What about the ECHO ?

Maybe some.

But the crack crowd hasn't made the connection. Nor are there mobs just WAITING for a Yaris four. A Chevy small-block V8, every kid with a Kmart wrench set wants one. Not so the Yaris or Echo parts.

The crackhead car thieves cater to the pistonhead Saturday-night parts crowd; and we just watch and shake our heads.

[Kal-El]

It can cost as much as $400 to replace a smart key. IMO, that is the major downside to them.

I don't agree with the article's example as being a deal breaker on having smart keys. That's an unusual problem and there are plenty of ways to handle such a situation. People have had to manage valuables for many years when going to the beach. This is nothing new. They sell waterproof pouches, for one thing.

When I worked at a dealership , I dealt with smart keys. Hugely convenient. Stays in your pocket. Got your hands full? No problem.

But yeah, it's a potential cost issue if something goes wrong. Especially losing them.

[nevplus]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

It can cost as much as $400 to replace a smart key. IMO, that is the major downside to them.

I don't agree with the article's example as being a deal breaker on having smart keys. That's an unusual problem and there are plenty of ways to handle such a situation. People have had to manage valuables for many years when going to the beach. This is nothing new. They sell waterproof pouches, for one thing.

When I worked at a dealership , I dealt with smart keys. Hugely convenient. Stays in your pocket. Got your hands full? No problem.

But yeah, it's a potential cost issue if something goes wrong. Especially losing them.

i have a 2k8 vitz rs the jdm one and it has the smartkey and i love it , i like not having to use the key it is very convenient.. i actually bought my car because of all the bells and whistles that one usually wont get in a small car.. the paddle shift and the push to start etc.. i go to the beach fairly often (i live in barbados) and i just remove the actual metal key part from the rest of the fob and lock the car with the metal key.. maybe the us market keys are different?

[matti]

I hope I'm wrong, but I think when it's time for me to get a new car, I don't think I'll be able to get one w/o power windows and some stupid 6" x 6" video display.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by matti

I hope I'm wrong, but I think when it's time for me to get a new car, I don't think I'll be able to get one w/o power windows and some stupid 6" x 6" video display.

. This is one reason that (if Kal-El is right about the 2015 model year and if the hand crank windows carry over) I'll probably get a 2015 3-door L 5-speed with hand crank windows, even if I have wear left on my current Yaris (I'll keep both if I can put big stone pavers next to my driveway to create additional space...as one of my neighbors did).

[Kar98]

Originally Posted by matti

I hope I'm wrong, but I think when it's time for me to get a new car, I don't think I'll be able to get one w/o power windows and some stupid 6" x 6" video display.

Best hurry up, because the feds just made rear view cameras and displays mandatory by 2018.

[jambo101]

Getting the key to flash the lights on the car is handy for finding the car at night when theres probably 50+ cars parked on the street.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Kar98

Best hurry up, because the feds just made rear view cameras and displays mandatory by 2018.

$30,000 Yaris anyone?

207 backup deaths a year now and about 1/3 of those involve the FRONT wheels. (kids run into the car usually)

And since the kids run into the wheels the camera isnt going to see them.

[DebbyM46227]

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

It's Escalades and Navigators and DeVilles that need the Smart Keys. Now, I'm not sure why anyone needs Escalades and Navigators and DeVilles...that's another issue.

The drug dealers need those to show how successful they are.

[yougojay]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

The drug dealers need those to show how successful they are.