ooglek

Well, cash over style, I found a post somewhere on the Intarwebs about an eBay seller named rocket_keys ( now 1010keys on eBay ) that sold two cut empty shells for $39.99 shipped. It was the path of least resistance and was in the ballpark price I was willing to pay. The keys are fully functional and the shells are solid. Everyone who said the build quality, plastic feel and overall crappy design were correct. The shell is a tad larger than the original, which takes a hair more effort to press the buttons. The edges are not smooth where the top and bottom come together, and as mentioned, the overall feel is equal to the cost: low. But at the end of the day, I was looking for inexpensive and functional, just not high quality. You only ever get to pick two, right? This was an acceptable compromise for me. If I had more money to spend, I'd probably get the OEM keys, but with the cost of the OEM shells being like $40-$60/piece, plus cutting fees of $20-$60 each, plus the driving around I'd have to do to get it done, two new keys (both broke around the same time) would have cost me $150-$200, and it just wasn't a place I was willing to spend that much when a less expensive functional alternative existed. cduluk was absolutely correct -- the fakes suck. But they work, and if you need a cheap alternative, the 1010keys eBay seller is a functional alternative to the nicer, albeit more expensive, OEM shells. I'd love a set of keys like the cduluk customs, but I have other places my time and money need to go at the moment. Happy Recession!

It does, thanks! Is there an inexpensive way to find/buy the OEM key shells? Or will I be paying out the nose for it? It doesn't look like this one is really OEM: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LEXUS-REMOTE-KEY-SHELL-LS430-01-06-LS-430-03-UNCUT-OEM-/280555836381?pt=Car_Audio_Video&hash=item41526e53dd Though I must say that after reading your key mod, and though I may be very interested in having such a sexy key, I think my standards of quality are simply that the keys work and less about how lux they feel. I'm a man of function in this case; I love my car, but I'm not quite the aficionado you are! Your taste is exquisite, and though I wish I had the time, patience, money and talent you have, I have two young kids and a less than careful-with-nice-things lifestyle that usually leads to nice things breaking a lot. :-)

Anyone else replaced the shell/blank on their Lexus key? I'd love to hear more success or failure stories so I can figure out who to give my money to! :-)

I'm not sure the plastic on my original OEM key isn't also cheap and the metal isn't crap. Obviously I don't want to get something that I'll have to replace again soon, but I also am not really interested in spending $100 for more expensive plastic. If it was carbon fiber, I'd be willing, but it's plastic -- and I'm not looking for ultra-high quality here, just functionality and something that will last another 8 years. How many have you purchased and evaluated off of ebay cduluk? How long ago was it and what buyer or company did you get it from? If your information is 2+ years old, maybe things have changed? If not, is there a good source for OEM good quality shells on the cheap? Thanks for the reply!

I'm looking for the best, least expensive way to get a replacement key shell for my 2002 Lexus IS300 key. The transponder still works. I can easily find new shells with blank keys on eBay (search "lexus key shell" and you'll find many, at the time of this writing most are $5 including shipping). What I'm having trouble with is finding information about some of the online dealers like TransponderIsland.com or DinoDirect.com or Keylessride.com and if anyone has had a good experience. I'm in the Northern Virginia (Washington DC) area, and would also like to know if anyone knows of a locksmith who can cut "switchblade"-type keys inexpensively. Keylessride.com: $29.95 for the key, $40 for cutting == $69.95 TransponderIsland.com: $14.95 for the key, $29.95 for cutting == $44.90 Ebay + Local Baldino's: $5 for the key, $40 for cutting == $45 I've got two keys, so if anyone knows where to get switchblade-type keys cut in the Falls Church, VA area, I'd appreciate the reference.

Could you take some pictures and post them? I have a sunroof, and I dunno if I quite understand your description... Pictures of the unit off the car would help me immensely!!! Thanks

So it is actually the entire assembly: map light, sunroof tilt switch and sunroof open switch; that comes off? I assume the butter knife just slips in the side closest to the windshield, and you twist from 3/9 O'Clock to 12/6 o'Clock? The assembly, about 6" long by 4" deep, should drop down like a sunglasses holder so the light and switches are facing the rear of the car, and I have to get to the light where it is facing the front of the car/windshield? An example drawing: Wnshld|Panel | Sunroof .../^^^&&&^^^************ ../...../ ./...../ /....*/ .....^ light once I pull it down? Let me know if that sounds right.

I'm trying to find out as well. I have a 2002 IS300 and the Map Light burned out within a year. I got a replacement bulb, but now can't figure out how to install it. I don't want to damage the car, but geez, shouldn't this be easy? The plastic clear thing doesn't just pop off... I think you have to pull the whole panel (the sunroof controls and all) to get to the lamp, but while I pulled on it, I didn't want to force it for fear of breaking something that will cost me more money. And I don't want to wait in line for 4 hours to replace a light bulb... but there isn't enough light without it. Help?