Carpokes

My 996.2 TARGA came with just one key. The factory one with the remote button to lock the doors and open the rear window "hatch" (eat your heart out coupes..) SO, I went to the Dealer to see about getting a 2nd one. The quote was almost $800 !!!!!! FOR A KEY !!!!!!!! So, I went to my local trusted locksmith shop, and, they cut me one and programed its fob to the car, so it will both open doors AND be "read" by the car, to allow it to start. All for $150. It does not have the remote function, although they could get that type of "fob" for about $450...but hey, it's only a "spare key", after all.

Just an FYI to save you $$$$$$$

I thought the "key" was don't own a Porsche?

Darkbeer wrote: Sat Nov 01, 2025 12:01 pm So, I went to my local trusted locksmith shop, and, they cut me one and programed its fob to the car, so it will both open doors AND be "read" by the car, to allow it to start. All for $150. It does not have the remote function, although they could get that type of "fob" for about $450...but hey, it's only a "spare key", after all.

That is interesting. My car just came to me with one key and I needed backup! Several years ago I bought a couple of blanks on Amazon (2 for $30 as I recall) and I could have them cut by my local locksmith which was about $80, but he said the only way to have them work in the ignition was to have the "pill" transmitter in the key programed by the dealer. The dealers take was almost $600 as I recall for a new "pill" and to program the key for one. I think you must have a terrific locksmith if he can program a Porsche key!

Anyway, here is what I do with my second (programed) key and my third (non-programed) key: I use my first programed key day-to-day for all of my driving. The second (programed) key lives in the car hidden under the seat. The third (non-programed) key lives in a case hidden securely on the car accessible from outside the car. I figure if I ever lose my primary key and am not at home, I can retrieve the non-programed key from outside the car to unlock the door, and then I can retrieve the second (programed) key to start the car as usual. My rational for using the non-programed key as the one kept hidden on the chassis is that if an unscrupulous person ever were to find it on the car, he/she could only open the door but they would never be able to start the car.

It is comforting to know that if I'm ever on a road trip away from my home-base and lose the key, I'm not dead-in-the-water...I'll be back on the road in a couple of minutes!

Just a hint of who this magical locksmith is would be most helpful and would likely insure his financial success for many years.

M-58....this Locksmith was just a regular business in Rohnert Park CA, but, you should be able to replicate my pleasant experience at just about any standard Locksmith business near YOU!!!!!