Red Keys

[Rich S]

I'm looking at buying a 1997 R reg Bravo HGT but the only thing that concerns me about the car is the fact that it's got both blue keys but no red key.
What's the situation on the red key, is it something to do with the ECU & immobiliser system?
Is it a vital thing to have as i've read the past topics concerning problems people have had when things have gone wrong with their cars & haven't got the red key to sort the problems out?
Also, if i brought the car without the red key would i be able to bypass these problems by getting an aftermarket alarm & immobilser fitted to the car (Toad, Clifford etc) because then i won't be using the original Fiat alarm & immobiliser system & getting the car rechipped (Superchips etc) or is the red key used for more things than just the ECU & immobiliser system.
1 final thing aswell, how much is this car worth wothout the red key, it's a 1997 R reg standard HGT with full service history & just over 90,000 miles on the clock?

 

[Anonymous]

i would say walk away from any car without red key, unless you are paying about 500 for the car! really isnt worth it if something important destroys your ecu, then you got bout £600 worth of repairs coming yourway when you have to install new ecu. there are plenty of hgts about ...enough to be choosy and pick a good one


ade

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, i know what you mean Ade but this is the only thing that i can find as a problem with this car, everything else is perfect!
I've been looking on the internet aswell & i've found a place called Car Audio Services in Sheffield & they have say that they can supply & reprogramme a new replacement red key & 2 new blue keys to your current Fiat ECU for £200?
I've thought of this as an option & see if i could knock off £200 off the asking price to cover the cost of getting this done or is this kind of thing that should only be done by a Fiat dealership & i should still walk away & find another HGT?