C
claire
Guest
i went to look at a brava today but they didnt have the red key. is it worth buying without this?
Currently reading:
red key
W
Wimmy
Guest
OP
OP
claire
Guest
the thing is its an old car, n reg for 700 quid, and its purple!!!! i dont think he will khoch 500 off!!! what is the red key for apart from making new keys and can the ecu(whatever that is) be reset or disabled without it?
L
lozz
Guest
its a case of if youve got it you dont need it, if you havent got it you need it, its not a VERY common problem but if you do need the ECU resetting your looking at around £800, but if its £700 and its got a good service history then it sounds good, has it had the cambelt changed thats the big Q if it hasent your looking at around £150-£250 for it too be changed, if you dont its bye bye engine
Lozz
Lozz
OP
OP
claire
Guest
yes its done 74,000 miles and had the cam belt changed about 3,000 miles ago, it also has a new battery, its in good nick, no dent or anything and is tidy, has been looked after and has good service history, why would the ecu need to be re set what would cause this problem??? im a girl and im blonde - say's it all really i havnt got a clue!!!!!!
L
Lozz
Guest
are you buying it off someone you know?, if the cars in good nick, £700 is a good price, even £1500 isnt a bad price, IF you ever need anything doing, i'm not sure what faults need the Red key (someone more mechanically minded will tell you i'm sure) but i think most ECU faults can be fixed without the Red key, oh yeah and can you post some pics?
Lozz
Lozz
N
no1darkling
Guest
Dont Do It
Personally i wouldnt touch a fiat without a red key, potential cost if you need a new key could be £1200, i need a new key at the moment and this will only cost me £50 because i have the red key, just dont do it.... not worth the risk
Personally i wouldnt touch a fiat without a red key, potential cost if you need a new key could be £1200, i need a new key at the moment and this will only cost me £50 because i have the red key, just dont do it.... not worth the risk
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: Dont Do It
There are plenty of cheap cars that are complete in every respect. it's a buyers market. you can bet that if you haven't got it you will need it. mine has never been used but that's because nothing major has happened that needs it. if something did happen at least i know i have the red key. it can't have been that well looked after if the red key is missing. It is rather IMPORTANT. Any owner with half a brain knows this. Why should some one elses problem become yours. Take off those rose tinted specs and give it a wide berth.
There are plenty of cheap cars that are complete in every respect. it's a buyers market. you can bet that if you haven't got it you will need it. mine has never been used but that's because nothing major has happened that needs it. if something did happen at least i know i have the red key. it can't have been that well looked after if the red key is missing. It is rather IMPORTANT. Any owner with half a brain knows this. Why should some one elses problem become yours. Take off those rose tinted specs and give it a wide berth.
B
BGR
Guest
Re: Dont Do It
N Reg Fiat = money pit.
As said above - it's a buyers market, give it a wide berth. There will be umpteen things wrong with it. If youi could get if for £500 and it has a full MoT - you have got a cheap year's motoring.
Good luck!
N Reg Fiat = money pit.
As said above - it's a buyers market, give it a wide berth. There will be umpteen things wrong with it. If youi could get if for £500 and it has a full MoT - you have got a cheap year's motoring.
Good luck!
A
ashley h
Guest
Re: Dont Do It
my dads got a p reg brava, bought it at an auction with no red key, its been the most reliable car hes ever had, i guess youve got to be lucky, if its 10 years old are you likely to ever need the red key? i doubt it!
my dads got a p reg brava, bought it at an auction with no red key, its been the most reliable car hes ever had, i guess youve got to be lucky, if its 10 years old are you likely to ever need the red key? i doubt it!
B
Ben
Guest
Re: Dont Do It
My 1.4 N reg bravo hasn't got the red key. I brought the car after the last owner didn't change the cam belt, so in need of engine repair. It hasn't got the red key and i've never needed it either, even after the engine repair. So like everyone says if you need it and haven't got it, it can be expensive, however you may never need it.
Anyway i've upgraded to a 1.2 now so the 1.4 is for sale (want £900 for it) but i've never had any problems with it.
Ben
My 1.4 N reg bravo hasn't got the red key. I brought the car after the last owner didn't change the cam belt, so in need of engine repair. It hasn't got the red key and i've never needed it either, even after the engine repair. So like everyone says if you need it and haven't got it, it can be expensive, however you may never need it.
Anyway i've upgraded to a 1.2 now so the 1.4 is for sale (want £900 for it) but i've never had any problems with it.
Ben
OP
OP
claire
Guest
thanks everyone for your help, i have decided not to buy it even though it is purple!!(my favourite colour!!!) decided i cant afford to take the risk. will have to keep on searching...
anyway thanks again
claire
anyway thanks again
claire
P
Paul R
Guest
i just got a 98 r-reg bravo hgt with full service and cambelt change for a silly low price of £1300 (well it is for a hgt) and that has the red key.
you have to stand back and say that tomorrow you could need that stupid key, if its a cheap run around for you and yu can aford to just write of £700 and you like it go for it, but i couldnt say that so just sit tight, the car you want will coe (i know thats easier said then done?, i know i have been there
)
Paul R
you have to stand back and say that tomorrow you could need that stupid key, if its a cheap run around for you and yu can aford to just write of £700 and you like it go for it, but i couldnt say that so just sit tight, the car you want will coe (i know thats easier said then done?, i know i have been there
)Paul R