Key rip off?

[Decoy]

I have a 07/98 Seat Cordoba, last night lost my keys and was told it has a prom chip and a new key will be aound $1,000 :aargh4:. Is my model a chipped key?
how can anyone justify this sort of money?
Is there a better way around this problem beside the 'dont lose your key, stupid' reply...
(I just bought a new 106cm LCD TV for $799 so $1,000 for a key?)
thanks guys....leave it with you

[shark_90]

It does have a chip if your Oz version is the same as our Euro cars. Do you have a spare or was that your only key?

Keys are a rip-off unfortunately. I do a lot of key coding for people who don't want to pay dealer prices but if you don't have a spare key you're either going to have to go to a dealer or a specialist auto locksmith who can mechanically decode your lock to cut a new key.

[scotty33]

Do you have the plastic 'dummy' key? This usually comes with the security key code attached to the tag. If you get a blade cut, a new unburned transponder chip I think can be burned using VAG com (for a '98 car) using the 4 figure security key code.

[Decoy]

thanx guys I am off to the bank, then to the locksmith....cheers