My wife bought a 2005 Corolla from Vern Gamble six weeks ago. Granted, it was late when we completed the sale. We got very little information on the car, but were made aware of the valet key, which will unlock the car and start the ignition, but not operate the trunk or glove box. The car we bought was a demo, and the salesman who had been driving the car was not working at the time, so Vern assured us he would mail us the third key as soon as he could get it from the salesman, and about a week later, we did get the key.
Yesterday, my wife had to go to a business meeting 4 hours north of home, and we almost did not get the car to start then, but it finally did. She got about 45 miles from her destination, got out to get a drink and some gum, got in the car and it would not start.
She wound up getting the car towed to the closest Toyota dealership, and left the key in a drop box with our contact info. Long story short, the car would not start because it was an aftermarket key without the chip, so ther sensors would not let it start. The service tech at the dealership told me he could not troubleshoot with the key he had, and to cut a new one would be $100, which would also disable the other 2 keys my wife had.
I called Toyota South, explained my dilemma to the service tech there, and after he called the dealership that had our car, agreed that the key they had would not work. I informed him that they had provided us with the key, and they should replace it with one that worked. He talked with the sales manager, who said there was nothing he could do about it.
Bottom line, if you must buy a Toyota, and want service after the sale, save your time and money and go somewhere else. Toyota South can't deliver a new car with three working keys, so imagine how competent they are with more complex problems.
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