Key?

skygazer6033 said:

Your right Jim, nothing like a hidden switch for the fuel or ignition. If it won't start a thief will quickly give up and look elsewhere.

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I had a car with a hidden switch I had to hold down with my foot to engage the starter. This was a 1991 Honda Civic and the previous owner installed it after having his car stolen 2x in six months. The switch was behind the accelerator pedal so you had to press the clutch and press with your toes on an area under and slightly behind the accelerator or the starter would not engage. The switch itself was invisible as it was flat like a pancake and under the carpet. When I bought it the previous owner told me about it and the fact that after installing it his ignition switch was broken two more times but the car never left its spot. (:

skygazer6033 said:

It would take a real imbecile to steal an Elio. Prison sentences for GTA are the same for an Elio as for a BMW or Merk. Of course no one ever said car thieves are smart.

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Technically and intellectually I agree with this. However, the gangs in Arizona often use a stolen car to qualify for new membership. New, used, cheap or easy doesn't matter to them to qualify. So it pays to be 'hard' since the thief will readily move on to an easier target.

ElioJoe said:

I have a question about the ignition key. I have had poor experiences with the dreaded "computer chip" key that dealers require for their cars that force you to buy one at the dealership in excess of $50 per key. I know it's a "security feature", but I think it's also a money making gimic!! I hope the Elio has a normal key that you can get a copy made anywhere you please without it costing a fortune. I appreciate any thoughts on this subject.

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I would rather see a finger print pad in the dash that allows access to starting it , kind of like my computer at home. We also use our finger print to access getting meds out of a storage cabinet at the hospital I work at. It have the capabilities to store a certain amoint of finger prints approved by the owner to also drive your Elio(I know , scary thought).

skygazer6033 said:

It would take a real imbecile to steal an Elio. Prison sentences for GTA are the same for an Elio as for a BMW or Merk. Of course no one ever said car thieves are smart.

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Dumb thieves steal cars and rob banks. Smart thieves run banks or run for office.

Larryrc1 said:

I would rather see a finger print pad in the dash that allows access to starting it , kind of like my computer at home. We also use our finger print to access getting meds out of a storage cabinet at the hospital I work at. It have the capabilities to store a certain amoint of finger prints approved by the owner to also drive your Elio(I know , scary thought).

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Terrible idea IMHO. I suppose you've never hurt your finger? Or didn't read the story about the guy who got his thumb cut off so thieves could steal his car? Or about how simple it is to fool fingerprint readers? None for me, please.

Durk Jenkins said:

Paul is trying to keep it simple and cost down. All this talk about push button start, bluetooth, etc.let it go, If you want that do it yourself. Besides 4 strong guys could just pick it up and put it on a trailer on in a truck.

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Please, Durk Jenkins, don't give them any ideas. They come up with enough of their own. LOL :-) Z

goofyone said:

The simple answer is that there is a near certainty that the Elio will use an ordinary key as this is the least expensive solution and it does its job well.

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I definitely prefer a key. My keys have all worked just fine for me all my driving life which is longer than some of you have been alive. :-) Z

ElioJoe said:

I have a question about the ignition key. I have had poor experiences with the dreaded "computer chip" key that dealers require for their cars that force you to buy one at the dealership in excess of $50 per key. I know it's a "security feature", but I think it's also a money making gimic!! I hope the Elio has a normal key that you can get a copy made anywhere you please without it costing a fortune. I appreciate any thoughts on this subject.

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Hey, I must agree with you, Joe. I have a pickup and did have a Miata with coded keys. A replacement key must be coded by a dealer at a significant cost. In the spirit of keeping Elios affordable to manufacture as well as own later when it is a used car, I vote for standard non-coded keys.

Johnapool said:

Hey, I must agree with you, Joe. I have a pickup and did have a Miata with coded keys. A replacement key must be coded by a dealer at a significant cost. In the spirit of keeping Elios affordable to manufacture as well as own later when it is a used car, I vote for standard non-coded keys.

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I drive a 95 Jeep Wrangler. Best bet I've found for security is The Club on the steering wheel. They've taken my cheap stereo a few times but never my Jeep..... And most times, I was ready to replace it anyway!!

My Harley has a security fob that must be within a few feet of the bike for the ignition to work. Also a cylinder key must be inserted and turned before it will start. I am satisfied with nothing more than a simple single key if that fits EM's basic strategy. It wouldn't change my opinion of the vehicle one bit. Heck, I still think the floor-board starter pedal in my dad's old 1953 Chevy pickup is cool. However, I would like to see a power lock actuated key like Charlie G mentioned.