So, this new '05 came with one of the new fancy-schmancy rectractable keys, and one plain ol' valet key. But that means that there's effectively only one alarm fob, while my '04 came with two keys and two fobs. With this new arrangement, we have to keep swapping the one rectractable key between our keyrings depending on who's driving it that day, which is rapidly becoming a right royal PITA.

...which leads me to wonder whether we should have received two rectractable keys plus the valet, or if everyone only gets one. and if only one, how have others coped with two drivers?

 

I have 2 retractable keys and 1 valet key with my 05. They shorted you a key.

 

Yep afraid so, you're missing a key. I've got two flip keys and a valet key as well.

 

I received 3 keys with my 04.

 

Yep, missing a key.

 

Key? We don't need no steenkin' key!

'06 japanese spec car came with two of these, and a normal key actually slides out of the card if needed. Just keep this in your pocket, and press that lovely red START button

 

I hate you. I want that.

 

OK, I just called the dealership, and they forgot to give the second key to the wife when they delivered the car to her office. I'll swing by there one lunchtime this week, and take a spin in the Mazdaspeed 6 while I'm there.

 

Cool! The '06 MX-5 has a similar setup, at least with some of the option packages, and it sounds like the '06 GT package '8 does too.

 

Hey eTiMaGo, can we get a pic of that start button?

 

You can buy em. one of the vendors has them. Or maybe it's japanparts. I dunno. but I saw it fo sale.

 

I'll try to get one tomorrow, going to be a busy day... I've attached a pic from another site, but mine does not have that silver rotor surrount, it's just against the black plastic... weird, and does not look quite as good

Annoying this is, you still need to turn the normal keyhole thingie from LOCK to ON, and there's not much grip there... Manual shows a kind of plug-in piece of plastic to make it easier, but for the life of me I cannot find it.

 

cool, i want that^

 

ECCLES,

Glad to hear that you are back in an 8. Congratulations!

 

Thanks for the pics! Someone should add some of this info to the 2006 MY sticky thread.

And the car (pre 2006) already has "keyless entry", so the new system should be called "keyless start".

 

My '05 did NOT come with the valet key. I had to buy it (special order) -- then when it came in, they charged me a "programming fee" on top of that!

 

^^
You got ripped off. The valet key is part of the package if you buy the car new. You are entitled to get one free.

 

I had 2 retractable keys, but left one at my bf's place in LA...so now I have 1...but I carry my valet key with me all the time cause I valet my car everywhere I go (its Vegas, its safer to valet it...normally I wouldnt even think of letting someone else drive it)...so if I lose my keys, im screwed...

I'll have my other one back by next week though, hopefully...

but ya they ripped u off...it comes with 2

 

Great news! 'Just called the dealership where I bought the car. They say they will refund my money.

 

4 keys, 2 normal and 2 valet.

Why 2 valet, I dunno but I want one of the retractable ones.