Our 99 punto sporting unfortunately came with only one key, not the red key. Now the code light is flashing on the panel and the car wont start. Our local dealer has quoted £800 plus for new locks and engine ECU, is this the only way out of this problem?
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Witnessed the most outrageous incident on Sunday afternoon;

I was in SWMBO's Yaris with my 2 young daughters and caught up in a traffic jam on the A41 (single carriageway) southbound in Bushey/Watford. The traffic was stop for 30 seconds, move a car's length, stop 30 seconds and so on. I wasn't particularly bothered and was quite contentedly listening to the Wimbledon commentary whilst admiring the new Subaru Impreza WRX in front of me. The girls in the back were (as usual) swapping between bickering and playing some sort of game or another.

I heard shouting and looked to see a woman in a new Zafira, parked on the opposite side of the road, gesticulating to a (very large) man on the pavement through the open windows of her car. Some very colourful language was exchanged after which the man started walking away (behind) the Zafira. Which left me wondering what on earth sparked all that off?

By this time we had moved on slightly but were managing to keep up with "Big Bloke" who was walking on the opposite pavement. "Zafira woman" is still launching abuse at him, loud enough to give Maria Sharapova a run for her money and for me to close the windows, turn on the AC and turn up Pat Cash & Co.

Zafira woman apparently decided to get up close and personal, so swung a U-turn, overtook several (now stationary) cars and jammed her nose between me and Impreza man, all the while yelling abuse and gesturing at Big Bloke through her open window.

I'm trying not to be bothered by this carry-on, it's a lovely Sunday afternoon, Federer is serving for the Championship and a few cold beers and the World Cup final aren't too long away, so I give her plenty of space and let her get on with it. Big bloke seems to have had enough of it though and crosses the road, says something to Zafira woman and climbs in the passenger side, so that's what this is all about - they're having a domestic on a (very) public highway!

We've gradually approached the junction near McDonalds/Ramada Javis hotel and close to the scene of the accident which has caused this jam. A few 100 yards away I could see a recovery lorry picking up a motorcycle with BiB close at hand.

Then I heard a bang - now what!? Looked up to see that Zafira woman had run into the back of Impreza man! Impreza man gets out (as you do) and comes to view the damage (most of which is hidden from my view by the bulk of the Zafira) and looks expectantly at Zafira woman who's still in the driving seat, acting as if nothing has happened. Finally after a good minute or so, Zafira woman decides to get out and immediately starts to abuse Impreza man, starting on him where she left off with Big Bloke. I'm no lip-reader but even I could make out most of the words!

After giving Impreza man a concise version of what she gave Big Bloke earlier, Zafira woman gets back in her car. Impreza man seems to be in a dilemma - he doesn't know whether to laugh or to cry and seems thoroughly unimpressed. Now Big Bloke puts his head out and starts having a go at Impreza man. This doesn't seem to have the required effect, so he gets out, walks the round the Impreza (both cars are still bumper-to-bumper) and starts abusing Impreza man face to face (actually more like Impreza man's face to Big Bloke's chest). It's on the verge of getting physical, when suddenly Zafira woman steps out and herds Big Bloke back in to their car. She reverses pretty sharpish (thank god I gave her some space) and simply drives off leaving Impreza man somewhat stunned and bewildered.

Didn't see much afterwards as I pulled into McD's to treat the girls to an ice cream after all that palaver but I did see Impreza man having a word with the BiB just up the road.

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Hi all

I have only gone and accidently dropped my mother in laws only set of keys for her R Reg Corsa down the drain today, doh. Now I know that the the key has the chip in for the immobiliser and I also know that the dealers will supply and program the new key for around £80. My main question is, can this key be replaced and re-programmed any cheaper?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

GazKaz

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We need to buy a second car for about £1,500.

It needs to be a 1.4 or under. I have narrowed it down to two that I would be interested in. The peugeot 306 and a Ford Fiesta zetec.

Can you good people give me the pros and cons on each motor and what one would you take?

Many thanks for any help. Read more

TVM,

I concede on the Rovers debacle.

I am in UK at present and will be around next week (W/C 17th) if your intending to be at Blackbushe let me know and a bacon butty and coffee are yours...

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